Stars prepare to battle it out at MTV music awards

Queen of Pop Madonna, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Robbie Williams and Keane are battling it out for the public vote at the MTV Europe Music Awards tonight.

US singer Justin Timberlake is hosting the ceremony, being held this year in Copenhagen, Denmark, where his Hollywood star girlfriend Cameron Diaz has joined him.

Daniel Craig, who is about to make his debut as the new James Bond, is also attending the event, flying in by private jet to present one of the gongs.

US band the Red Hot Chili Peppers lead the way at the awards, which attracts some of the top names in music, with four nominations.

They are followed by Madonna, and fellow female stars Shakira, Nelly Furtado and Christina Aguilera, who have three nominations each. Hip Hop star Kanye West and Devon-based band Muse are also up for three gongs.

Timberlake will also be performing at the awards. He is up for best Pop act and best Male and will be competing against former Take That star Williams in both categories.

Keane are up for best Group and best Rock act, while Madonna is in the running for Pop, Female, and the Album categories for Confessions on a Dance Floor.

The Arctic Monkeys have been nominated for Alternative act and the best in UK and Ireland, where they battle it out with Lily Allen, Muse, Corinne Bailey Rae and The Kooks.

Other performers tonight are set to include P Diddy, The Killers, Snoop Dog and Nelly Furtado. The winners of the main awards are voted for by MTV audiences around the world.

Australian rockers Jet were also due to perform - but have been stuck in Sweden because of a blizzard.

P Diddy is believed to have an entourage of 27, including a barber and a chef, with him in Copenhagen.