MTV Europe awards dominated by Brits

Published on Friday 4 November 2005 00:13

BRITISH music acts dominated last night's star-studded MTV Europe Awards in Lisbon last night, claiming top prizes in all the main categories.

Robbie Williams, James Blunt and Coldplay all walked away with honours in the awards, which although based in Europe have been dominated by US acts in recent years.

But one American proved she still had what it takes to steal the show.

Music veteran Madonna was the highlight of the evening with the first live performance of her new single Hung Up.

Dressed in long purple leather boots, a matching leather jacket and sunglasses, the singer - recently recovered from a horse riding accident - showed off a muscular physique, which led award host Borat from Kazakhstan, alter ego of comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, to comment: "It was very brave of MTV to start the show with a transvestite."

The awards are seen as the most prestigious in the music industry outside the US.

Robbie Williams picked up the Best Male award, while cartoon band Gorillaz took the Best Band crown.

Former army officer James Blunt, who stormed the charts with his debut single You're Beautiful, won Best New Act. Coldplay took the Best Song award for their hit Speed of Sound. The band also won the Best UK & Ireland Act.

And the Chemical Brothers took the honours in the Best Video category for Believe.

A spokeswoman for the event said: "It was a good night for Britain."

She added: "The atmosphere was incredible. There were 10,000 people in the stadium, but a TV audience of a billion. It was an amazing experience."

The MTV Europe Music Awards are staged in a different city each year. Edinburgh hosted the event in 2003.

Best of the best

Best Male: Robbie Williams

Best Female: Shakira

Best Group: Gorillaz

Best Song: Coldplay's Speed of Sound

Best Album: Green Day's American Idiot.

Best New Act: James Blunt

Best UK & Ireland Act: Coldplay

Best Pop: The Black Eyed Peas

Best Video: The Chemical Brothers' Believe

Best Hip-Hop: Snoop Dogg

Best Alternative: System Of A Down