Ed Sheeran leads winners at MTV European Music Awards

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GQ Men of the Year Awards 2021 in association with BOSS at Tate Modern
Photo: Phil Lewis/WENN

Ed Sheeran was an early winner at the MTV European Music Awards (EMAs) on Sunday night (14Nov21), taking home the Best Artist award.

The Bad Habits star was chatting backstage to host Saweetie when she surprised him by announcing he'd won the coveted gong, and presented it to him from the trunk of a glittering car they were standing next to.

Failing to hide his shock at the announcement, Ed said, "I didn't come here tonight expecting to win an award, I just came to perform. But thank you for this!"

The British singer later performed his chart-topping smash Shivers, much to the delight of the crowd in Budapest, Hungary.

Other winners during the ceremony included Yungblud, who delivered a passionate speech advocating for individualism as he collected the Best Alternative prize.

"This award is a tribute to individualism," he said. "If you are out there and you feel like you cannot be who you are - you can be. Keep fighting and keep being brilliant. Your individuality is the best thing you can have. Be proud, be proud of who you are."

Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj beat Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion to take home the Best Hip Hop award, while Italian rockers Maneskin were crowned Best Rock - pipping Foo Fighters, Imagine Dragons and The Killers to the prize.