‘SexyBack’ star Justin Timberlake, who also took the role of host and performer at the glittering bash, won the best Male and best Pop awards, receiving his best Male trophy from pop honeys the Sugababes. Gnarls Barkley, a.k.a producer Danger Mouse and singer Cee-Lo Green, also took home two gongs for best Song with download sensation ‘Crazy’ and the Future Sounds award – a surprise new Award category which turns EMA tradition on its head by inviting the artist community to vote for the hottest new band of the year.

Other winners included quintessential electro-pop veterans Depeche Mode, who were a hugely popular choice for best Group, while Caribbean R&B siren Rihanna took home the laurels for best R&B. Christine Aguilera accepted her gong for best Female by satellite link, with the award announced by Casino Royale stars Daniel Craig and Mads Mikkelson. Four-time nominees the Red Hot Chili Peppers took home one award, the prestigious best Album award for double-album triumph Stadium Arcadium. Danish hip hop crew Outlandish won the honours for the home city as best Danish act.

In another parting from EMA tradition, MTV’s pro-social award, Free Your Mind, designed to highlight individuals or organisations striving to free the world of intolerance or prejudice, was re-invented as an on-air campaign highlighting the issue of climate change with messages from Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Kirsten Dunst, Tenacious D and Foo Fighter Dave Grohl.