MTV Awards host Rita Ora paid a poignant tribute to her friend Liam Payne on stage at the ceremony, saying he had the “biggest heart”.
Ora, who duetted with Payneon the song For You from the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack in 2018, became emotional as she spoke about the One Direction star towards the end of the event.
Speaking on stage at the MTV Europe Awards in Manchester, Ora described Payne as “one of the kindest people” she ever knew.
Image: Pic: Reuters
Her voice shaking, the 33-year-old appeared tearful as she addressed the audience.
“I just want to take a moment to remember someone very, very dear to us,” she said. “We lost him recently and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world.”
Payne “had the biggest heart and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could”, she added. “He brought so much joy to every room he walked into and he left such a mark on the world.”
The tribute took place near the end of a ceremony which saw Taylor Swift crowned best artist – making her the first act to claim the award three times.
The star, who is about to resume her record-breaking Eras tour next week, also won the awards for best live act, best US artist and best video for Fortnight, her collaboration with Post Malone. She did not attend the event – instead cheering on her NFL star boyfriend Travis Kelce at his latest game – but gave a recorded speech to accept her prizes.
“I had the best time touring in Europe this summer, so it just is wonderful for you to do this,” she said.
Sabrina Carpenter and Raye among winners
Image: Raye was named best UK and Ireland act. Pic: Reuters/Phil Noble
Sabrina Carpenter‘s mega hit Espresso was crowned best song, while Ariana Grande was named best pop act and South African star Tyla – one of the night’s performers – picked up the awards for best Afrobeats and best R’n’B.
British singer Raye, who cleaned up at the Brits earlier this year, was named best UK and Ireland act, and also performed her hits Escapism and Body Dysmorphia as her name shone in lights behind her.
Hip-hop star Busta Rhymes received the global icon award before performing a medley of hits including Break Ya Neck, Put My Hands Where Your Eyes Could See, and I Know What You Want.
“I’ve never got an award from MTV before,” he said, as he accepted the trophy from British star Little Simz. “Thirty-four years of professionally recording, this is the first time I’m getting an award from MTV.
“It feels f****** incredible.”
Image: Busta Rhymes was honoured with the global icon award. Pic: Reuters/Phil Noble
The night was opened by Benson Boone, who made a show-stopping entrance suspended in the air playing a golden piano before touching down to perform his hit, Beautiful Things, as pyrotechnics sparked around him.
He quickly went on to pick up the first prize of the night, for best new artist.
“Thank you guys for changing my life,” he told the crowd. “I promise you I will be giving it all back to you.”
Image: Tyla performed before picking up awards including best R’n’B. Pic: Reuters/Phil Noble
Rapper Eminem was also among the winners, accepting his best hip-hop gong in a video speech which he started in a mock British accent. “I appreciate y’all, man,” he added.
Other award winners were announced on screen, including Liam Gallagher for best rock and Calvin Harris in the best electronic category.
The show was closed by the Pet Shop Boys, who performed the classic hit West End Girls and their new cover of Mott The Hoople’s All The Young Dudes, after being honoured with the pop pioneers award.
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0:52
Shaun Ryder and Bez talk pop and politics
Earlier in the night, stars gathered on the red carpet – including local Mancunian guests such as Blossoms and Happy Mondays stars Shaun Ryder and Bez.
Former X Factor stars Jedward – twins John and Edward Grimes – were also among the VIP guests.
Speaking to Sky News on the red carpet, they paid tribute to Payne, saying they had “grown up together” and that his death was a “big loss”.
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This is the first time the MTV event, which is held in different European cities each year, has taken place in the UK since a ceremony in London in 2017 – when Payne performed Strip That Down, his first solo single, to launch his career after One Direction.
It has also previously been held in Liverpool and Glasgow, but this is a first for Manchester and its new Co-op Live arena – which opened earlier this year, albeit three weeks later than planned due to several setbacks and cancellations.
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1:48
Best moments from the MTV EMAs
Last year’s EMAs ceremony was planned for Paris, but was cancelled amid security concerns “given the volatility of world events” following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
The European awards are separate to the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), which take place in the US earlier in the year.
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Swift dominated at that ceremony, taking home seven gongs to equal Beyonce’s career total of 30 and match her as most-awarded musician in VMAs history.
But her three EMA wins take her to a career total of 18 – which means she still has a few to go to equal Justin Bieber’s record of 22.
The MTV EMA winners
Image: Taylor Swift accepted her awards in a video message. Pic: Reuters/Phil Noble
Best artist – Taylor Swift Best song – Sabrina Carpenter, Espresso Best UK and Ireland act – Raye Best video – Taylor Swift ft Post Malone, Fortnight Best new artist – Benson Boone Best collaboration – Lisa ft Rosalia, New Woman Best US act – Taylor Swift Best live – Taylor Swift Best pop – Ariana Grande Best rock – Liam Gallagher Best alternative – Imagine Dragons Best hip-hop – Eminem Best K-pop – Jimin Best electronic – Calvin Harris Best R’n’B – Tyla Best Afrobeats – Tyla Best Latin – Peso Pluma Best push – Le Sserafim Biggest fans – Lisa Global icon – Busta Rhymes Pop pioneers – Pet Shop Boys
Austria has won Eurovision 2025, with Austrian-Filipino singer-songwriter JJ taking the glass microphone.
The 24-year-old singer, who originally trained as a countertenor, represented his country with his operatic ballad Wasted Love, staged on a storm-tossed ship.
The song, which was not dissimilar to that of last year’s winner Nemo, told the story of unrequited love, with a techno breakdown near the end. Austria has won Eurovision twice before, the last time in 2014 with Conchita Wurst’s pop hit Rise Like A Phoenix.
Image: JJ singing Wasted Love for Austria. Pic: Reuters
Israel’s Yuval Raphael, who survived the October 7, 2023, attacks which were the catalyst for Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza, was the runner-up with piano ballad New Day Will Rise, performed in Hebrew, French and English.
The singer was left “shaken and upset,” after two pro-Palestinian protesters rushed towards her during her grand final performance.
Organisers confirmed a backstage crew member was hit with paint but was not hurt.
A spokesman for SRG SSR said: “At the end of the Israeli performance, a man and a woman tried to get over a barrier onto the stage.
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“They were stopped. One of the two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit. The crew member is fine and nobody was injured. The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police.”
Israel has won Eurovision four times, and last year finished in fifth place with Eden Golan’s Hurricane.
Image: Yuval Raphael performs New Day Will Rise for Israel. Pic:AP
Just as the grand final began broadcasting, Spanish broadcaster shared a message of Palestinian support which read: “When human rights are at stake, silence is not an option. Peace and justice for Palestine.”
The broadcaster had already received a warning from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) over political statements reported by Israeli broadcaster Kan.
The EBU said in response to the latter incident: “We can confirm that we have spoken to RTVE regarding this matter and made it clear that commentators are expected to maintain neutrality within the broadcasts of the Eurovision Song Contest.”
During the evening, there were also pro-Palestinian protests near the centre of Basel, as well as a small group nearby protesting with Israeli flags.
Israeli National Security Council had issued a warning to Israeli civilians in the city to keep a low profile during the competition.
In a change from last year’s contest in Malmo, Sweden, the ban on certain flags being waved by the audience was relaxed which meant Palestinian symbols could be seen in the arena.
Image: Remember Monday perform What The Hell Just Happened for the UK. Pic: AP
The UK’s act – country pop trio Remember Monday – who performed in colourful Bridgerton-style outfits – avoided the dreaded “nul points”, coming in at 19th place with song What The Hell Just Happened?
However, for the second year running, the UK received no points in the public score.
The UK has had five wins at Eurovision, but in recent years have struggled to rank, with the exception being Sam Ryder with Space Man in 2022, who came second.
Last year, Olly Alexander placed 18th at Malmo, and Mae Muller was second to last the previous year in Liverpool.
The Eurovision grand final took place in the St Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland, with the winner from among the 26 performing nations decided by a mix of public voting and points from national juries.
The four-hour-long show was presented by an all-female team – stand-up comedian Hazel Brugger, TV presenter Michelle Hunziker and Eurovision veteran Sandra Studer.
There were performances by previous Eurovision runners-up Croatia’s Baby Lasagna and Finland’s Kaarija, as well as last year’s winner Nemo during the night.
Image: KAJ perform Bara Bada Bastu for Sweden. Pic: AP
Sweden had been widely tipped to win with their sauna-themed entry Bara Bada Bastu (Just Sauna), but ended up coming fourth.
Ukraine, who have made a strong showing each since they first entered the competition in 2003, and who won in 2023, came ninth.
Last year protests and politics overshadowed the singing event amid the outbreak of war in Gaza, with some calling for Israel to be kicked out of the contest.
Last year also saw Dutch singer Joost Klein kicked out of the competition by the EBU over alleged verbal threats to a female production worker, which he denied.
Next year’s competition, Eurovision’s 70th, will be held in Austria.
A second man has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent after an incident at a London nightclub that allegedly involved US singer Chris Brown.
The Metropolitan Police said Omololu Akinlolu, 38, will appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
Better known by his stage name HoodyBaby, the American rapper has been charged in connection with an alleged assault at the Tape nightclub in central London in February 2023.
Brown, 36, was charged on Thursday with grievous bodily harm with intent and was remanded in custody by judge in Manchester until 13 June.
He is accused of attacking music producer Abraham Diaw with a bottle during the incident in February.
During a hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, Brown watched intently as brief details of the case against him were outlined by prosecutor Hannah Nicholls.
She accused Brown of committing “an unprovoked attack with a weapon in a nightclub full of people”.
Brown spoke to confirm his name and date of birth, but did not enter a plea.
He will appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing in London on 13 June.
Brown – known for hits such as “Loyal”, “Run It” and “Under the Influence” – was arrested at a hotel in Manchester in the early hours of Thursday by detectives from the Metropolitan Police.
The Grammy Award-winning singer was due to tour the UK in June and July, with dates in Manchester, Cardiff, London, Glasgow and Birmingham.