Britney Spears returns to glory at VMAs

Music News

A file picture dated 28 May 2004 shows US pop star Britney Spears performing on stage in Oberhausen, Germany during her European 'The Onyx Hotel Tour'. Spears won video of the year, and best video by a female artist and top pop video for her track Piece of Me at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards held at Paramount Pictures Studio Lot in Los Angeles, USA, 07 September 2008. EPA/ACHIM SCHEIDEMANN

Sep 8, 2008, 10:00 GMT

Britney Spears picked up three prizes at the MTV Video Music Awards last night (07.09.08).

The singer - who is slowly getting her career back on track following a public breakdown earlier this year - looked stunning in a tight silver Versace dress as she took to the stage to open the Los Angeles ceremony, before accepting the trio of accolades.

As she picked up her first award for Best Female Video for 'Piece of Me', Britney - who has two sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, with ex-husband Kevin Federline - said: "I'm speechless. Oh, my goodness, thank you! I first want to thank God for blessing me like this and my family... my two beautiful boys for inspiring me every day."

After winning Best Pop Video for the same track later in the evening, Britney hugged her manager Larry Rudolph before going up to collect her statuette.

The 26-year-old singer - who had never won a 'Moonman', the nickname given to the distinctive silver awards, before - completed the evening by winning the third award for which she was nominated, the biggest honour of the evening, Video of the Year.

She said: "I'm in shock right now! I want to dedicate this to all my fans."

Despite rumours the 'Gimme More' singer was going to perform at the ceremony, Britney left the singing to her pop rival Christina Aguilera who wowed fans with her hit track 'Genie In A Bottle' and new single 'Keeps Gettin' Better'.

Other stars who performed included the Jonas Brothers, and Kanye West - who closed the ceremony by singing an unreleased track for fans.

MTV Video Music Awards 2008, full list of winners:

Video of the Year: Britney Spears - 'Piece of Me'

Best Male Video: Chris Brown - 'With You'

Best Female Video: Britney Spears - 'Piece of Me'

Best New Artist: Tokio Hotel - 'Ready, Set, Go!'

Best Pop Video: Britney Spears - 'Piece of Me'

Best Rock Video: Linkin Park - 'Shadow of the Day'

Best Hip-Hop Video: Lil Wayne (featuring Static Major) - 'Lollipop'

Best Dancing in a Video: Pussycat Dolls - 'When I Grow Up'