GALLERY: One Direction don't show despite big win at MTV's Europe Music Awards

Nov 10, 2014 06:32 pm

Boy band sensation One Direction were among the big winners that failed to turn up to collect their prizes at one of Europe's top music events on Sunday, after they scooped three MTV Europe Music Awards in Glasgow.

They won Best Pop, Best Live and Biggest Fans, scooping three of a possible four gongs. They apologised for being unable to collect their awards in person in video messages which member Zayn Malik was not a part of as he was ill.

Justin Bieber and Katy Perry were among other notable no-shows, though the firework-filled ceremony was lit up by charismatic and popular rapper Nicki Minaj, who hosted, performed and won an award.

Rock veterans Ozzy Osbourne, U2 and Slash all also made appearances, giving the show a grizzled edge.

Fans in the arena were most vocal for the younger acts, however, even if some weren't able to attend.

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In the absence of some more established acts, singer-songwriter Ariana Grande flourished, grabbing her first two MTV EMAs and opening the show.

The relative newcomer beat better-known acts such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Minaj to win Best Female, and her song Problem, featuring rapper Iggy Azalea, won Best Song ahead of Pharrell Williams' triple-platinum hit Happy.

Minaj picked up the award for Best Hip-Hop Act and also performed some of her best-known songs.

While she has not released an album since 2012, Minaj was a popular host, penning a rap in tribute to Scotland and even playing a hole of crazy golf in tribute to the national pastime.

Katy Perry, on tour in Australia, thanked her Katy Cat fans after winning Best Look and Best Video, while Canadian Bieber netted the award for Best Male.

Irish rock U2 veterans did a tender, piano-led version of the ballad Every Breaking Wave off their recent release Songs of Innocence.

Here's the complete list of winners at the EMAs:

Best Song: Ariana Grande - Problem, ft. Iggy Azalea

Best Pop Act: One Direction

Best Male Act: Justin Bieber

Best Female Act: Ariana Grande

Best New Act: 5 Seconds of Summer

Best Video: Katy Perry - Dark Horse ft. Juicy J

Best Rock Act: Linkin Park

Best Electronic: Afrojack

Best World Stage Performance: Enrique Iglesias

Best Alternative Act: Thirty Seconds to Mars

Best Hip-Hop Act: Nicki Minaj

Best Live Act: One Direction

Best Look: Katy Perry

Best Push Act: 5 Seconds of Summer

Best Song With A Social Message: Beyonce - Pretty Hurts

Best UK & Ireland Act: One Direction

Best US Act: Fifth Harmony

Biggest Fans: One Direction

Global Icon: Ozzy Osbourne

Biffy Clyro and Slash perform on stage during the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards.

Chinese singer Bibi Zhou poses for pictures backstage after she was awarded the title of Best Worldwide Act during the 2014 EMAs. Photos: Reuters, AFP