Justin Timberlake the king of Copenhagen

Nov 3, 2006, 12:00 GMT

Justin Timberlake was the star of the MTV Europe Music Awards last night (02.11.06).

The singer, who hosted the Copenhagen event, was named Best Male Artist and Best Pop Artist.

He opened the show with a blistering medley of his biggest hits by bursting through a giant speaker accompanied by 22 dancers.

Justin, 25, joked he had only won the Best Pop category because he had agreed to host the evening.

On collecting his Best Male award, he told the audience: "Thanks MTV. Thanks Copenhagen. And thanks to my mum for birthing me best male."

Atlanta hip-hop duo Gnarls Barkley also picked up two awards, walking away with Best Song for 'Crazy' and the Futuresounds Award - for Best Newcomer.

Best Female Act went to Christina Aguilera, who edged out Madonna, Beyoncé and Shakira to take the title.

The Killers picked up Best Rock Act, while Best Hip-Hop Act was awarded to Kanye West.

Red Hot Chili Peppers walked away with just one award - Best Album for 'Stadium Arcadia' - despite being nominated in four categories.

British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, appeared via a video link as his controversial character Borat the Kazakh TV reporter.

Borat, who presented the awards in Lisbon last year, welcomed Justin onstage by poking fun at Madonna's recent adoption of a Malawian baby.

He warned Justin: "Jason, don't be too friendly to female pop stars. Last year I did it with the ugly one from the Pussycat Dolls and (holding up a child) had this baby with her. Is Madonna there? I want her to buy it. My only concern is that the singing transvestite won't be a good father."

Madonna went home empty-handed despite being nominated three times and faced more ridicule by another British comic.

Leigh Francis, famed for his celebrity-obsessed character Avid Merrion, performed 'Bung Up' - a joke version of Madonna's 'Hung Up'.

Avid - dressed in a purple leotard, blonde wig and caricature Madonna mask - was surrounded by dancing dwarfs as he belted out the track.

He told the audience: "If it want to buy a baby, I will", before pointing at the dwarves dressed as children and adding, "I bought these from eBay, they are my eBabies."

When he left the stage, Avid pointed at a black dwarf and told him, "You're my favourite."

Canadian singer Nelly Furtado and rap mogul Diddy were among the acts to perform for the 2,500 screaming fans in the Bella Centre.

The Killers and Keane performed outside in freezing temperatures in central Copenhagen, Denmark, square where thousands more people had gathered.

Muse, who won Best Alternative Act, delivered the performance of the night with 'Starlight', accompanied by a dazzling laser show.

The event was not without controversy. Kanye West took to the stage to protest after losing the Best Video category to Justice Vs Simian. He later moaned: "I had the best video. 'Touch The Sky' should have won."

2006 MTV Europe Music Awards full list of winners:

Best Male Act: Justin Timberlake

Best Pop Act: Justin Timberlake

Best Female Act: Christina Aguilera

Best Group: Depeche Mode

Best Rock Act: The Killers

Best Alternative Act: Muse

Best Song: 'Crazy' by Gnarls Barkley

Best R n B Act: Rihanna

Best Hip-Hop Act: Kanye West

Best Album: 'Stadium Arcadium' by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Best Video: 'We Are Your Friends' by Justice Vs Simian

Futuresounds Award: Gnarls Barkley

Best UK and Ireland Act: The Kooks

(C) BANG Media International