Basildon's Depeche Mode proved there's life in the old rockers yet by scooping a top music industry award.

The electro pop pioneers, who became a huge stadium act in the US despite an often lukewarm response in the UK, were recognised with the Q Innovation Award.

The annual Q Awards ceremony is organised to commend the best in rock and pop artists. Lead singer Dave Gahan was surprised the band were chosen to receive the award after their two-decade stretch at the top of the charts.

He said: "It's not what we expected - but we never expected to be standing after 20 years."

Radiohead were best world act for the second year running but Oasis were left empty-handed.

Published Tuesday October 22, 2002

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