LIVERPOOL will always hold a special place in Katy Perry’s heart. It was the city where she took the MTV Europe awards by storm.

It was the first time she’d ever seen the ceremony, but she hosted, performed three songs and won the award for Best New Act.

“I love Liverpool,” says Katy, 26. “The people are so friendly. It feels like home, and I love the accent. The UK is like my second home. I know it’s going to be freezing, which is going to be OK, because I’m going to bring the California sunshine to everyone.”

That night in October, 2008, was the beginning of Katy’s love affair with MTV – she’s gone on to become the darling of the network – she’s now hosted the EMAs twice and has huge airplay for her videos. The irony is that she was raised in a very strict home that didn’t allow her to view music channels while growing up.

“MTV is still one of those networks that’s really cool because it’s so spontaneous,” she says. “You never know what you’re going to get. And some of it is amazing; some of it’s, like, so crazy. And I think my personality fits with that.You never know what you’re going to get.”

It was another MTV awards – the Video Music Awards in 2009 – which sparked Katy’s relationship with Russell Brand. They got talking after she threw an empty plastic bottle at his head during rehearsals. The pair married in October last year, in India.

Now Katy is on her way to Liverpool for the second leg of her California Dreams Tour. The biggest undertaking of her career so far, it has taken Katy around the world and back again. And it seems she can’t wait to return to Liverpool.

“It’s going to be intense,” she says with a smile. “I want to show people that a show can change your life.”