Newsbeat

It was all about Britney Spears at this year's MTV Video Music Awards as the 26-year-old took a trio of prizes - best video, best pop video and best female video for Piece Of Me.

Comedian Russell Brand hosted the ceremony in his distinctively quirky style. He took a pop at the US presidential elections during his opening monologue, which was full of innuendo as usual.

Dressed head to toe in black, Christina Aguilera belted out a performance of Then And Now. Other artists who took to the stage on the night included Kid Rock and the Jonas Brothers.

Socialite Paris Hilton presented Britney Spears with her best pop video award. She told the singer afterwards: "I love you. I miss you. And it's so good to see you."

Pussycat Dolls Melody Thornton, Jessica Sutta, Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Roberts bagged the best dancing in a video gong for When I Grow Up.

Rihanna treated viewers to renditions of Disturbia and Seven Nation Army. At last year's ceremony she took away the video of the year award for long-running chart-topper Umbrella.

Pink, dressed in a provocative black number, put on a pyrotechnic-fuelled show for the performance of her new song So What. The Ting Tings and Paramore also shared the stage (separately of course).

Katie Perry performed her catchy tune I Kissed A Girl which has dominated the UK charts this summer. She also sang Madonna's classic hit Like A Virgin in honour of MTV's 25th birthday.

A very pregnant Ashlee Simpson showed off her baby bump as she arrived in Los Angeles. Husband Pete Wentz, bassist in band Fall Out Boy, was also at the ceremony.

Rapper Kanye West closed the ceremony. Last year he complained about failing to win a single prize at the event. He vowed never to return to the awards show.