The MTV Europe Music Awards is one of the music world's most glitzy bashes and was being held in Berlin this year to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, a potent Cold War symbol.

The ceremony, watched in more than 500 million homes worldwide, tends to be dominated by acts from the United States despite being a Europe-based event.

Lady GaGa and Kings Of Leon led this year's nominations with five apiece.

U2 were announced winners of Best Live Act.

Frontman Bono said: “Danke schon Berlin. 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 gong.

He said: “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.”

The rapper's wife, Beyonce, turned up the heat by wearing a red corset slashed to the navel, suspenders and long red gloves, performing in front of a giant red heart.

Green Day, dressed in black, opened the ceremony with a raucous performance of their song Know Your Enemy, getting the crowd clapping above their heads.

Actor David Hasselhoff later presented them with the Best Rock award.

Best Song went to Beyonce for Halo, beating acts such as Black Eyed Peas, Kings Of Leon and Lady GaGa. The singer, who changed out of her red corset into a demure black dress, said: “I just want to dedicate this award to all of my fans. I love you all so much ... I love you all tonight, God bless you.”

Actress-turned-rock chick Juliette Lewis helped to present the Best Alternative gong to Placebo, who beat British hopes Muse and The Prodigy.

The night also saw performances from Jay-Z and Foo Fighters.

Lil' Kim, wearing sunglasses, asked: “Berlin, how's all my sexy people doing? I love you.”

She announced Best New Act, which went to Lady GaGa, beating La Roux and Daniel Merriweather, among others.

Lady GaGa was not at the awards ceremony, explaining to fans via video that she was in New York.

Eminem scooped the Best Male gong. The rapper said via video from a recording studio: “Thank you man for this award ... I want to say thank you to all the fans.”

Among presenter Kate Perry's whirlwind of costume changes were a bubblegum pink ballgown with massive holes cut through the skirt and a red velvet jacket with a giant pair of red lips as a matching hair accessory.

The Jonas Brothers introduced a video tribute to the late King of Pop Michael Jackson, who they described as “simply the best”.

The video showed members of the public singing along to some of Jackson's greatest hits.