Model Kate Moss wore Ziggy Stardust's "rabbit costume" to collect the award on the singer's behalf from Noel Gallagher.
The ex-Oasis star said: "You maniacs didn't think David Bowie was actually going to be here? David Bowie's too cool for that - he doesn't do this s***."
Bowie, who won the exact same title 30 years ago, chose to stay at home in New York rather than attend the event to pick up his award - his first Brit for 18 years.
He made a surprise comeback last year when he suddenly released a new single on his 66th birthday with an album out just weeks later, his first for 10 years.
Moss said: "Good evening ladies and gentleman, David has asked me to say this. I'm completely delighted to have a Brit for being the best male - but I am, aren't I Kate? Yes. I think it's a great way to end the day.
Beyonce performed XO live for the first time
But despite not even being at the event, Bowie proceeded to provoke debate about Scottish independence by saying, through Moss: "Thank you very, very much and Scotland stay with us."
He has succeeded Sir Tom Jones - who landed a prize at the age of 62 - as the oldest recipient.
The ceremony at London's O2 Arena was opened by the Arctic Monkeys who performed their hit RU Mine?
It was hosted for a fifth time by James Corden with organisers hoping the show would be more successful than last year's which was criticised for being boring.
The Monkeys went on to beat One Direction to claim the best British group trophy.
Lead singer Alex Turner gave a short acceptance speech where he joked: "That's 15 quid we put on One Direction to win down the drain."
The band also won the biggest prize of the night, British album of the year, for AM - making it the third time they have done the double at the ceremony with best group and best album.
Kate Moss wore this Bowie outfit from 1972
1D went on to win the global success award - although they were missing one of their members when they took to the stage to collect it.
Liam Payne asked: "Has anyone seen the curly haired lad? I don't know where you are Harry."
Harry Styles then came hurtling up a runway to the stage and told the audience: "I'm really sorry I was having a wee. Toilets are ages away. What did we win?"
The boy band also won the best video award for Best Song Ever which was voted for by Twitter fans - the first time a Brit award winner has been chosen on social media.
But with more than 17 million followers on Twitter - almost three times as many as the other nominees combined - the group were always a shoo-in to pick up the prize.
Ellie Goulding, who was up for three awards, won the first prize of the evening, walking away with the best British female trophy.
The singer collected the award from Prince and 3RDEYEGIRL four years after she collected the Critics' Choice prize at the event.
One Direction received two awards on the night
The award-winner told guests: "Thank you so much - I genuinely am in shock - I'm not very good at this at all. This means so much to me - I can't even tell you."
She beat acts such as Jessie J and Laura Marling to the prize.
Katy Perry was the second act to perform, playing her single Dark Horse with a fluorescent Egyptian themed stage set, flanked by costumed dancers.
US star Bruno Mars was named best international male act, an award he also collected in 2012.
After accepting the prize from Kylie Minogue - who wore a knee-length black rubber dress - and Pharrell Williams, Mars told the audience: "I want to thank the fans. We love coming out here, we love performing for you all."
Beyonce, wearing a shimmering floor-length blue dress, performed her track XO live for the first time at the event.
Bastille, who lead the nominations with four, picked up the best breakthrough act prize. They had been up against London Grammar, Tom Odell, Disclosure and Laura Mvula.
Rudimental beat nine other nominees to receive the best single award for Waiting All Night while Nile Rodgers accepted the international group award on French duo Daft Punk's behalf.
Nile Rodgers and Pharrell Williams rounded off the performances with a medley of hits on which they have performed. They included Daft Punk's Get Lucky and Williams's chart-topping and Oscar-nominated single Happy.

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