Shock-pop icon Lady Gaga ruled the show and “the moon” at the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards on Sunday.

Bieber rubbished internet rumours about him as ‘crap’.

The artist stole the spotlight not only for winning four awards – claiming the best female, best song and best video for Born This Way and biggest fan awards – but also due to her outlandish costumes, which never cease to amaze, and a show-stopping performance.

She picked up the award for best female singer in a fan-like outfit, complete with extravagant headdress which obscured the singer’s face. At one point, presenter David Hasselhoff had to help her out as she teetered on stage.

The crowd went wild as Gaga, wearing a red-thong bikini and huge red metal disc, performed her single Marry the Night, in which she played a satellite landing on the moon. Huge flames acted as a backdrop while black leather-clad dancers writhed in front of her.

She later appeared backstage with her awards donning a heavy metallic dress.

Meanwhile, Canadian pop sensation Justin Bieber quashed rumours about his personal life when he picked up two gongs. The 17-year-old thanked his fans and family for their support as he claimed the best male and best pop awards.

“You guys are the reason I am on stage right now,” he said, before rubbishing internet rumours about him as “crap”.

Mr Bieber last Wednesday vowed “vigorous” legal action after a 20-year-old reportedly claimed he fathered her baby, saying the assertion was “malicious” and demonstrably false.

The teen-heartthrob was also awarded the MTV Voices Award at a dinner on Saturday in recognition of his charity work.

Mr Bieber’s girlfriend, Selena Gomez, who was also host of the show, took to the stage in a glittering purple outfit to perform Hit the Lights.

German sensation Lena fought off competition from British soul diva Adele in the race for the Best European Act but lost out to South Korea’s Big Bang in the best worldwide act category.

British rockers Coldplay kicked off the ceremony with a performance of Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall, urging the crowd to “shout for Justin Bieber”.

They were nominated for best rock band, best live act and best UK and Ireland act, but left empty-handed.

British group Queen were honoured with the Global Icon award.

The current Queen line-up closed the show with a medley of their hits accompanied by American Idol winner Adam Lambert, while California veterans the Red Hot Chili Peppers gave a rendition of The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie.

Adele, who is to undergo throat surgery because of damaged vocal cords, was named best UK and Ireland act.

Rapper Eminem took the award for best hip hop act, but was unable to attend Sunday’s ceremony, which was held at the Odyssey Arena in Northern Ireland’s capital, Belfast.

Other performers included British singer Jessie J and American R’n’B singer-songwriter Jason Derulo.

The event in numbers

• 10,000 – The amount of cable in kilometres that will be used by technicians during the ceremony.

• 18 – The number of HD cameras used to film the event.

• 300 – The amount of false eyelashes used by the make-up team.

• 50 – The number of dancers enlisted for the show.

• 6 – The number of tonnes of ice that will be used to keep drinks cool under the lights.

• 38,000 – The number of meals cooked for cast and crew during the week of the show.

• 100 – The number of executive limos lined up to traffic people to and from the show.