Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake sweep the Billboard Music Awards while JLo takes to the stage

Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake were the big winners at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

While Timberlake collected a total of seven prizes, it was the late singer who stole the show after performing his new single as a hologram.

As it mirrored some of his signature dance moves, the realism was too much for some audience members, who were visibly emotional.

The Jackson hologram performed Slave To The Rhythm, a song from his posthumous album Xscape, along with a number of background dancers.

Epic Records boss LA Reid, who worked on the album, said: “We tried to do as best we could what we thought Michael would have loved, and those of us who knew Michael really well, we had a good perspective on it.”

Timberlake’s haul included top artist and Billboard 200 album, and he accepted his prizes via video link from overseas where he is on tour.

He joked: “All the other finalists, Miley, Imagine Dragons, Bruno, Katy, I love you guys, it’s not a competition, but if it is, I won!”

Robin Thicke, who won four awards including top Hot 100 song for Blurred Lines, debuted a new song called Get Her Back, aiming to win over his actress-wife Paula Patton after they announced in February they were separating.

He sang on bended knee and ended with the line: “I gotta get her back tonight.”

The night featured a number of collaborative performances, including a duet from Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert, while double winner Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line were crowd favourites when they performed This Is How We Roll.

Miley Cyrus performed The Beatles’ Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds with Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips remotely from the UK, where she is currently on tour.

“I have to of course thank all of my amazing fans...Thank you everybody for making this possible,” she said when accepting top streaming artist, sticking out her tongue at the end.

Katy Perry, who won top female artist, also performed remotely.

On a fallow night for British talent, Lorde was a double winner, taking home trophies for best new artist and rock song for Royals.

The New Zealand singer performed her new hit Tennis Court in her signature black - and showcased her signature twitchy dance moves.

Other performers included John Legend, who sang his current No 1 hit All Of Me on piano, a sultry Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, who received the icon award and performed at the beginning and end of the three-hour show.