HOWZAT

An MTV gong also eluded Lily Allen, who was nominated alongside Winehouse for the Best New Artist award.

To rub salt in Britney's wounds, the big winner of the night was her ex, Justin Timberlake, who picked up four awards - Male Artist of the Year, Best Choreography, Best Direction and Quadruple Threat of the Year.

He shared the limelight with young Barbadian sensation Rihanna, who picked up Single of the Year, for the perennial chart topper Umbrella, and Video of the Year for the same song.

Off stage, musicians Tommy Lee and Kid Rock provided an impromptu performance when an argument between the pair turned into a tussle. A punch was reportedly thrown before the pair, both former husbands of Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson, were detained by security.

Rappers at the event took the opportunity to mock. P "Sean Combes" Diddy said: "It's not just the hip-hop artists that sometimes have a problem."

Actor Jamie Foxx took it further. As he stepped onstage to present the Best New Artist award, he implored:"Stop all this white-on-white violence."

WINNERS

Video of the Year

Rihanna featuring Jay-Z - Umbrella

Male Artist of the Year

Justin Timberlake

Female Artist of the Year

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