Emma Johnson gives you the essential guide to the EMAs

A is for audience. Broadcast on 21 channels in more than 40 countries – the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards will be watched by more than 30m people.

B is for Britney Spears. The biggest rumour is that the Toxic singer will make her live comeback on stage. Well, we can but dream.

C is for Cowshed. Dressing rooms at the MTV Europe Music Awards will be filled with the ultimate beauty indulgence – Lazy Cow candles from Cowshed.

D is for dressing rooms. Some 20 extra have been built at the Echo Arena, specially for the awards to the specifications of the individual artists or groups. Expect lots of white orchids.

E is for EMAs. The EMAs or MTV Europe Music Awards were launched in 1994 at the Brandenburg Gate. They celebrate the most popular videos in Europe and over the past 15 years more than 170 awards have been given out.

F is for false eyelashes. At the 2007 EMAs, 40 make-up artists got through over 500 pairs of false eyelashes, as well as 40 powder puffs, 50 tins of hairspray and 5,000 crystals.

G is for goody bags. At last year’s awards, presenters and performers were given freebies worth around 15,000 euros, including a Sony Ericsson mobile telephone, a Nike golf set and an MTV Rock Band game with a mini electric guitar and drum kit.

H is for hotel rooms. Last year, for the EMAs in Copenhagen, MTV booked a total of 5,620 hotel nights in 12 hotels for artists and crew.

I is for I Kissed a Girl. That’s the controversial number one song which shot this year’s awards’ host Katy Perry to fame.

J is for Jared Leto. The actor and frontman of 30 Seconds to Mars will host the special VIP area at this year’s awards.

K is for Knowles. Fans will get not one but two Knowles sisters at the awards. Beyoncé is performing while little sister Solange is presenting.

L is for Labrecque. The Paul Labrecque Luxury Hair Care collection is being used by the hair stylists ensuring each artist is at their glamorous best.

M is for MAC, who will supply the products to the team of make-up artists backstage. Internationally-acclaimed make-up artist Debbie Danell will lead the looks, aided by MAC’s senior artist James Molloy.

N is for new act nominees. These are Duffy, Miley Cyrus, One Republic, Katy Perry and the Jonas Brothers.

O is for Organic Pharmacy. The pharmacy – the first and only pharmacy dedicated to health and beauty using organic products – will be offering their signature treatments to ensure every star is well and truly pampered backstage.

P is for performers. Confirmed performers are The Killers, Beyoncé, Take That, Duffy, The Ting Tings, Pink, Kanye West and Estelle.

Q is for “Queen of all media” Perez Hilton. The original celeb- rity blogger will host this year’s live web- cast at www.mtvema.com from 6.30pm.

R is for Rickrolling. Rick Astley, from Newton-le-Willows, who has received his first-ever MTV nomination and is favourite to win Best Act Ever. He competes against Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Green Day, Tokio Hotel and U2, and many think “Rickrolling” – where you click on an internet link expecting to see one thing, only to be taken to a video of Rick’s Never Gonna Give You Up – is to blame.

Sis for sore loser. One of the EMAs’ most notorious moments was when Kanye West stormed the stage after Justice and Simian won best video in 2006. Kanye was adamant his Touch The Sky video should have won because it “cost a million dollars” and “Pamela Anderson was in it”.

T is for tan. The St Tropez team will be backstage helping the artists shimmer, shine and get their glow on.

U is for ultimate urban. One of the most fiercely contested categories at the awards. Kanye West will take on Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Chris Brown and Lil Wayne for the title of ultimate urban act.

V is for vats of Cham- pagne. Which is the drink of choice for many of the stars all night long.

W is for wigs and Wombats. Last year, more than 500 hairpieces and wigs were used, while The Wombats will perform Leona Lewis’s hit, Bleeding Love.

X is for X-rated. It wouldn’t be MTV if there were no X-rated goings-on.

Y is for you pick the win- ners. The lucky recip- ients of the MTV EMAs are decided by you.

Z is for Zzzzzzs. That’s what’s called for on Friday, as, after the awards, the stars will be partying at venues from Club So to Babycream.

emmajohnson