GERMANY: Avril Lavigne, Nelly Furtado and Amy Winehouse steal the limelight at the MTV Europe music awards in Munich

Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne stole the thunder from U.S. rival Justin Timberlake by taking two top prizes at the MTV Europe Music Awards on Thursday (November 01). The 23-year-old won Most Addictive Track for "Girlfriend" and the coveted Solo Artist of 2007 category while Timberlake, who dominated the event in 2006 and was the most nominated artist in 2007, came away empty-handed. Britain's Amy Winehouse collected the Artists' Choice award but her live performance of "Back to Black" at the packed OlympiaHalle in Germany will have done little to allay concerns after drug-related problems. She accepted her award with a brief "Thanks" before walking off stage. Minutes later she stumbled through her song with a thin, wailing voice instead of the rich growl that has won her so many fans. Winehouse appeared to have trouble remembering the words to her own song, her dancing was stilted and out of step and she was unsteady on her feet. By contrast compatriot Pete Doherty, in the headlines for his self-confessed drug addiction and affair with supermodel Kate Moss, led the Babyshambles in a haunting rendition of "Delivery". The Foo Fighters kicked off the show, one of the music industry's biggest nights outside the United States, with a thrashing medley comprising their new single "The Pretender". Lavigne bounced through a burlesque performance of "Hot" while underlining a good night for Canada, Album of the Year went to Nelly Furtado for "Loose" which has sold around seven million copies to date. 30 Seconds to Mars triumphed in the Rock Out category. MTV said over 50 million votes were cast across Europe, with the public deciding most of the main awards for the first time. The 2007 event was hosted by U.S. rapper Snoop Dogg, who appeared in several costumes during the night, including traditional German lederhosen, a long fur coat and even a kilt.

ITN Source | November 8, 2007

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