Beyonce wins MTV Europe hat-trick

Singer Beyonce has landed a trio of trophies at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Berlin.

The singer fought off rivals including Leona Lewis to win best female, plus best song for Halo and best video for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).

She dedicated her best video award to rapper husband Jay-Z, saying: "There's only one person I want to thank and that is Jay for putting a ring on it."

Singer Katy Perry hosted the ceremony for the second year in a row.

The singer - who is dating comedian Russell Brand - performed a medley of the five best song contenders, including Halo and and Kings of Leon's Use Somebody.

Katy Perry also helmed last year's show in Liverpool

Ladies' night at MTV Europe awards

Katy Perry's MTV award outfits

In pictures: MTV ceremony

Backstage at the rehearsals

She set the tone for the evening by asking the crowd: "Are you feeling sexy, Berlin?" and managed to squeeze into seven separate costumes during the ceremony.

'Great deal'

The ceremony was held in the city to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

U2, who won best live act, played a free open-air concert at the Brandenburg Gate to coincide with the event.

As well as performing One - inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall - the band played Sunday, Bloody Sunday, on which they were joined by Jay-Z.

Their concert had run into controversy - after organisers built a two-metre barrier around the venue.

But MTV insisted the fence was part of a "comprehensive security plan" to ensure safety.

Singer Bono said: "Live is where this band lives. It's all that counts ... If you have given us this award I guess that's what you're thinking and it means a great deal to us."

Jay-Z won the best urban award, but told the crowd: "I go to the studio just like the Jonas Brothers, just like Green Day, and we're all just artists at the end of the day."

German band Tokio Hotel were named best group, while Eminem won best male, fending off Robbie Williams and Mika.

Best world stage performance was won by Linkin Park, while Pixie Lott was pronounced the inaugural MTV push artist.

Lott said, via video: "It has been a very amazing, crazy year so I want to say thank you to everyone who has voted for me."

Former X Factor winner Leona Lewis, who had been nominated for best female, performed Happy.

The show was broadcast to more than 500 million homes around the world.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Beyonce - BBC artist page
Beyonce
MTV Europe Awards
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites