The 58-year-old pop star revealed he and his brothers Barry and the late Maurice were 'very proud to be Manx' as he accepted a lifetime achievement award on behalf of the world-famous band.

He was given a standing ovation from business leaders, charity workers, politicians and celebrities as he took to the stage of the Gaiety Theatre on Thursday evening.

After receiving the award from IoM Newspapers' deputy chairman Trudi Williamson, Gibb performed a rousing rendition of Ellan Vannin with the King William's College choir to bring the show to an end.

Mrs Williamson said the Bee Gees had 'promoted the Island world-wide' during a 45-year career from 1958-2003, and were 'true ambassadors of the Isle of Man'.

Guests heard the band, most famous for recording the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack including hits like Stayin' Alive and Night Fever, had sold 200 million records and won eight Grammy Awards.

She described Robin, who is celebrating 50 years in showbusiness this year, as 'very much in touch with his Manx roots' and 'someone who has made a measurable contribution in the Isle of Man'.

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>> Glittering ceremony celebrates best of Manx life
Includes video: Watch the winners' reactions as Joanne Clague conducts interviews backstage at the Gaiety Theatre

>> Awards for Excellence winners announced
View photo slideshow

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Childhood pictures of the Gibb brothers were projected onto a screen at the back of the stage.

Manx Radio host Bernie Quayle presented a short film tracing their birth in the former Jane Crookall Maternity Home in Douglas

The DJ spoke about the brothers' early days living in St Catherine's Drive and in Willaston, where they were the only family with a television and invited neighbours to watch the Queen's Coronation.

Robin, who attended the Awards for Excellence with his wife Dwina and son Robin, wore a suit and the purple shades that have become his trademark as he accepted the Bee Gees' award.

'I'm very proud to be Manx, and my brothers too,' he said, followed by rapturous applause.

'We're proud to protect the Isle of Man's identity, values and traditions – those are things that will always flourish.

'This is a place where you can be free to be yourself and undertake whatever endeavours you dream of, something that is slowly being lost in the UK.'

He thanked his family, Mrs Williamson, Chief Minister Tony Brown, the Manx Government and the 900 people packed into the theatre.

Fireworks went off as he reached the end of Ellan Vannin with the KWC choir, the youngest members of which were wide-eyed in awe during the song.

Awards for Excellence presenter Graham Davies said afterwards: 'My favourite moment of the night was seeing someone who has sold millions of records and performed in front of millions of people being genuinely moved by 900 Manx people standing up for him.'

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Read Fergus McEwan's full reaction to last night's Awards for Excellence in next week's Isle of Man Examiner

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