Making an acceptance speech in the local language at a foreign awards show is a brave decision. And while he may not have been word perfect, Chris Martin charmed the audience at France's NRJ music awards ceremony when he greeted them in their native tongue.
In French he thanked the delighted crowd for the outstanding contribution award received by his band Coldplay before going on to describe - still in the local idiom - his grasp of the language as being "like a broken car".
Addressing the crowd in French was not the only trick the English rocker had up his sleeve. He also gave a rare solo performance of his band's latest single at the Saturday night ceremony.
"Sorry I'm on my own, my friends are at the beach eating ice cream," he joked.
Other winners included Enrique Iglesias - who made the night for some lucky fans by getting up close with them in the stalls - the Pussycat Dolls, and absent Britney Spears.
While Chris made it through his acceptance speech okay, there was one blip in the evening's events. Katy Perry, who won the best international album trophy was also accidentally presented with the award for best international song. At the end of the ceremony the show's host admitted a mistake had been made in counting the votes and the gong should have gone to R&B star Rihanna.
Photo: Rex
Photo: Rex
