Scottish singer Edwyn Collins has celebrated his comeback by winning an Ivor Novello award, telling the audience at the star-studded ceremony that “it's great to be back”.

The ex-Orange Juice singer and solo star, who had worldwide hits with Rip It Up and A Girl Like You, has fought back to recover from a near fatal double brain haemorrhage in 2005.

Collins plans to mark his recovery by taking to the stage at this year’s T in The Park this summer, and last night the 49 year old won the Ivors Inspiration Award, his first Ivor Novello.

The Edinburgh-born musician confounded the opinions of doctors who thought he would never return to live performances following several brain operations.

The Ivors are internationally respected for honouring excellence in British music writing.  They are judged and presented by the writing community and for over 50 years have been given annually to outstanding songwriters and composers.

In other news at yesterday’s ceremony, Mercury Music Prize winners Elbow again had their song-writing talents recognised by grabbing two awards.

Coldplay's Viva La Vida got best-selling British song, while The Ting Tings received best album.

The full list of Ivor Novello award-winners were:

• Best contemporary song: Elbow, Grounds for Divorce

• Album award: The Ting Tings, We Started Nothing

• Best television soundtrack: Wallace and Gromit (A Matter of Loaf and Death)

• Oustanding song collection: Vince Clarke

• The Ivors classical music award: James MacMillan

• Best selling British song: Coldplay, Viva la Vida

• The Ivors inspiration award: Edwyn Collins

• PRS for music most performed work: Duffy, Mercy

• Songwriter of the year: Eg White

• The special international award: Smokey Robinson

• The academy fellowship: Don Black