Music stars united to hail America’s next president at the MTV awards in Liverpool last night, reports Alan Weston

THE man who drew some of the biggest cheers at last night’s MTV Europe Music Awards wasn’t there, wasn’t up for an award, and wasn’t even a musician.

Time and again, it was newly elected US President Barack Obama who proved to be the most popular name to drop by those presenting or collecting awards at the star-studded ceremony.

The Echo Arena was transformed into a glitzy setting for the 15th MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs), watched by around 10,000 music fans.

An estimated 30m viewers are thought to have tuned in to watch on MTV’s channels across the world.

US pop star Katy Perry opened the EMAs in all-American style riding atop a giant cherry chapstick.

Dressed in an American footballer’s kit, the star kicked off the ceremony with a performance of her hit I Kissed A Girl.

It was just the first of a series of 12 increasingly bizarre and outlandish costumes, including one in the shape of an apple core.

The first guest performance came from R&B superstar Beyoncé, with If I were a Boy.

Jared Leto, from 30 Seconds to Mars, had the crowd standing in honour of Obama.

Amid rapturous cheers, he said: “Liverpool, let’s hear it for Barack Obama.” Perry responded: “Maybe Europe will love us again now.”

The Sugababes joined in the American theme, with Keisha, Mutya and Heidi taking to the stage each wearing red, white or blue.

Las Vegas rockers The Killers paid tribute to Liverpool, with singer Brandon Flowers saying: “This is one of the great musical cities of all time and it’s awesome to be here. Everyone you see here – we wouldn't be here without The Beatles.”

Take That returned to the EMAs for the first time since the inaugural event in 1994, when they won Best Group, and performed Greatest Day.

Kanye West, 31, gave a barnstorming performance of Love Lockdown before being joined on stage by British hip-hop singer Estelle, 28, for their international hit American Boy, with Barack Obama’s face projected onto a giant screen behind them.

Pink was the first award winner of the night, landing the gong for Most Addictive Track for So What.

Britney Spears won the first of her two awards of the evening for Album of the Year for Blackout, with the second for Act of 2008.

30 Seconds to Mars were awarded Rock Out by Solange Knowles and Travis McCoy, lead vocalist for Gym Class Heroes. The award for Video Star also went to 30 Seconds to Mars for A Beautiful Life.

The band collected their second award of the evening from Everton midfielder Tim Cahill and MTV UK’s very own celebrity, Kerry Katona.

Katy Perry won the award for New Act, while Kanye West won the Ultimate Urban award. Ex-Liverpool player Michael Owen and Anastacia presented the Headliner category winner to Tokio Hotel.

The final award – Europe’s Favourite Act – was presented to Turkey’s Emre Aydin by Tiziano Ferro and Lauri Rasmus.

FANS and celebrity spotters were out in their thousands for several hours.

In scenes more reminiscent of a film premiere at London’s Leicester Square, hordes of people were packed behind barriers hoping to catch a glimpse of their idols.

Most fans congregated at the VIP drop-off area, where a succession of coaches and blacked-out limos pulled up.

The spectators ranged from the enthusiastic to the plain curious.

Several expressed disappointment that their idols had scurried into the building, out of sight of the fans who had turned out to meet them.

Among them was Vicky Gilbanks, who had waited outside the arena with a group of friends for several hours.

She said: “We’ve been waiting for ages, but they can’t even come and say hello to the fans. They could have at least put some screens up so we could see what was happening.”

Monica O’Neill had travelled from Armagh, in Northern Ireland, to visit her daughters Amy and Sarah.

Amy, 23, said: “I just wanted to see the celebrities and maybe meet a millionaire!”

Tasha Bleitch, 25, a student from Pennsylvania who is studying at Liverpool Hope University, said: “I just came down to see the red carpet, and I’m disappointed that I’m not.

“At least I get to see the spotlights. It’s still exciting.”

Sharon Kelly travelled from Roby with her daughter Jess Wignell, 13, and her friend Emily Woods, 13.

Jess said: “I’m here for The Killers, who are the best thing that ever happened.”

alanweston