Turner winner: 'try this at home'

The artist who won this year's Turner Prize with his bare large room in which the lights go on and off, today advised the world to "try this at home".

Martin Creed admitted it would not be difficult. He said: "Everyone can re-create this at home - provided they can reach the light switch."

Creed then went on to describe his award-winning piece: "I can't explain it, except to say that the lights definitely go on and then off.

"People make the work. When they are standing in the room and the lights are on, you can see people. When they're off, you can't."

Speaking minutes after Madonna announced the result in front of a live TV audience, Mr Creed was asked what he thought of the competition, intended to showcase the best of contemporary British art. "It's just a stupid prize," he said, "I feel like I'm at school."

Even Madonna, who was the star attraction at last night's ceremony at Tate Britain, seemed surprised by the judge's decision. Tearing open the envelope, she announced: "And the winner is ... Martin Creed - oh!"

She also came out with a four-letter outburst which had Channel 4 rushing to apologise to viewers, although it was not a comment on Creed's work, on which she had little to say. Indeed, other celebrities and critics viewing Creed's room, appeared similarly reluctant to pass judgment.

Creed's previous pieces have included a one-inch tube of masking tape stuck to a wall and a ball of blue tack and a sheet of A4 paper crumpled into a ball. He staved off competition from three other shortlisted artists, Isaac Julien, Richard Billingham and Mike Nelson.

The £20,000 prize, which Creed said was "going straight in the bank", is a fringe benefit of winning the award which attracts huge publicity.

Among the celebrities last night were singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Joely Richardson and Jarvis Cocker.

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