Beyoncé left a long line of fellow divas in her shadow last night when she took centre stage at the MTV Europe Music Awards, performing to an adoring crowd in Berlin and taking home three gongs.

The American singer beat British ballad queen Leona Lewis, fashion phenomenon Lady Gaga, Columbian star Shakira and the awards host Katie Perry to pick up the Best Female award.

Beyoncé, who gave a raunchy performance of Sweet Dreams dressed in a red basque and suspenders, also won Best Song for Halo, and Best Video for the clip that became an internet sensation - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).

Dedicating her video award to her music mogul husband, Jay-Z, she said: “There is only one person I want to thank and that is Jay for putting a ring on it."

Her stellar success was not the only thing that grabbed the audience’s attention – the singer changed no less than four times during the ceremony, flitting between a demure fishtail gown, a sparkly black dress and daring to don the “dustbin lid” dress that saw The X Factor judge Cheryl Cole mocked relentlessly last weekend after wearing it on the TV show.

But host Katy Perry managed to outdo the night’s big winner, making 12 costume changes, including a revealing red basque complete with West Ham crests, which her new boyfriend, British comedian and West Ham fan Russell Brand immediately explained, via Twitter, was a nod to his beloved club.

Perry failed to take home the gongs she was nominated for, instead watching Beyoncé sweep both categories – Best Female and Best Video - but she didn’t seem ruffled, making jokes throughout the glitzy ceremony.

Hip-hop star Kanye West, who failed to make an appearance, was one of her targets. The musician made world headlines and became the object of endless parodies after he interrupted the acceptance speech of young country star Taylor Swift at the US MTV awards in September.

Last night, Perry sent West up during the finalists announcement for Best Urban Act by interrupting his video nomination to say she had one of the best nomination interruptions of all time. He went on to lose the award to Jay-Z.

British newcomer Pixie Lott had a more successful night, beating fellow Londoners La Roux to the Best Push Artist.

Irish rock royalty U2 also triumphed, taking home the Best Live Act award and playing a free concert as part of the awards, with David Hasselhoff, at the Brandenburg Gate to celebrate the 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Frontman Bono told the audience: "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."

But the evening was not straightforward for the band, who were caught up in controversy after MTV erected a barrier at the Brandenburg Gate.

Organisers said it was to ensure concertgoers safety, but outraged concertgoers pointed out the irony of erecting a wall to keep out revellers at a time when Germans are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Other winners included Eminem, who was awarded Best Male, Green Day, who took Best Rock, Placebo, who picked up Best Alternative, and Linkin Park won Best World Stage Performance.

Also in the spotlight were the night's performers, which included Lewis, Shakira and Green Day.

The glitzy ceremony was brought to an end by U2 and Jay-Z who wowed fans by duetting at the Brandenburg Gate.

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