The MTV Awards took place on Sunday night in Manchester for the first time in its 30-year history, but somehow they didn’t seem very Mancunian.

There was no sign of Take That, Aitch or Liam Gallagher – even though he won best rock star.

Organizers made a few subtle nods to the city: The stage was framed by the black and yellow stripes of Factory Records, and New Order’s Blue Monday blared through the speakers each time the nominees were announced.

But the show took a more global perspective, highlighting artists from Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and America – including a predictable win for Taylor Swift in the night’s two biggest categories , best artist and video of the year.

She only appeared via video, choosing instead to spend the night watching her boyfriend, American football player Travis Kelce, lead the Kansas City Chiefs to victory over the Denver Broncos.

But there were plenty of other stars at the show and on the red carpet. Here’s some of the gossip we’ve picked up along the way.

1) Raye gave an update on her missing songbooks

Two weeks ago, Raye told fans his second album had been delayed by thieves who stole his car and, with it, several notebooks filled with lyrics and song ideas.

On the red carpet, she confirmed that police had failed to find them, saying: “I just had to let it go.”

The singer said she couldn’t recreate many ideas because just writing them down freed her mind to work on something else.

“You give up because you think you can come back to it – and now there are so many ideas that are gone. It’s so sad.”

But the singer, who won the Best British Artist award, maintained a positive attitude.

“Everything happens for a reason. I’m going to have to do it again and maybe that’s a blessing in disguise.”

2) Busta Rhymes revealed his unlikely comedy hero

The decision to bring rap legend Busta Rhymes to Manchester to receive a global icon award wasn’t as random as it seemed.

Before developing his fast rap, 11-year-old Rhymes spent two summers with his aunt Velma in Morecambe.

“I went to karate school, and we would go to nightclubs illegally, to earn some money by breaking,” he told us.

“I remember Boy George was cool, Wham was cool,” he continued.

“But our favorite was Benny Hill. Benny Hill is still our favorite to this day. I don’t think anyone has ever been as funny or as charismatic as Benny Hill.”

So, during those peaceful days spent watching dirty comedies in Morecambe, did he ever think he would come back and win the prize of a lifetime?

“You can never predict something like this,” he said. “When we first got involved in hip-hop, we didn’t do it without distinction. We just did it because we loved it.

“But that being said, tonight is a dream come true.”

To honor the moment, he gave a nine-minute acceptance speech, thanking everyone from his mother to an art teacher he had met backstage.

“I’ve never received an award from MTV before. Thirty-four years of professional recording (and) this is the first time I’ve received an award from MTV. It’s incredible.”

3) Olly Alexander had advice for next year’s Eurovision contestant

Olly Alexander played a pre-show party on Saturday night and couldn’t believe the reception to Dizzy – the song which won him 18th place in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

“It went much better than Eurovision,” he laughed, shortly before Jedward invaded the stage and caused total chaos.

At the main ceremony, Alexander was on hand to award song of the year to Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter. But he also has a few words for anyone considering representing the UK in next year’s competition.

“I would say to anyone, ‘Call me and we’ll talk about it seriously,'” he said with the haunted look of a man who has seen some things.

4) Benson Boone has a new fan: Bez

As well as winning the Best New Artist award, American singer Benson Boone opened the ceremony with a spectacular performance which saw him suspended in the air on a grand piano, before performing a spectacular forward somersault from a platform at the side of the stage.

“Insurance is still crazy,” he laughed, “but I love acting.”

One person who couldn’t believe his eyes was Happy Mondays star Bez, who approached Boone during an interview with Rita Ora.

“When you came across that grand piano,” he said, “I said to myself, ‘Elton John is going to be gutted.’”

5) The Sserafim escaped to the Manchester Christmas market

Manchester is home to the UK’s largest K-Pop store, and on Sunday morning staff couldn’t believe one of the genre’s biggest girl groups had descended on their city.

“The Sserafim were posting photos of the Christmas market,” one of them told me. “It’s only five minutes from here!”

The five-piece, who set records in the US, traveled for their first ever UK performance, a mash-up of Chasing Lightning and 90s house hit Crazy.

But they were more excited about walking around town without being mobbed.

“It was so good, we ate baklava!” enthusiastic singer Huh Yun-Jin; while her groupmate Sakura enjoyed a portion of fish and chips.

“It was my first time,” she said. “I loved it.”

On stage at the EMAs, the band got one of the biggest screams of the night, despite being relatively unknown in the UK… yet.

“Coming to Europe is something we’ve always dreamed of, so it’s absolutely surreal,” Yun-Jin said. “We just want to make a good impression.”

Mission accomplished.

6) Jedward spent two hours on the red carpet

For no reason at all, Jedward embarked on a massive charm offensive with the international press.

“Oasis is back and Jedward is back!” they declared, before rushing towards the bewildered German and French journalists, chanting Stop Crying Your Heart Out.

It lasted two delirious and brilliant hours, as the twins, who rose to fame on The X Factor 15 years ago, insisted “a lot of artists have been inspired by Jedward”.

And to be honest, they have proof. CMAT, recently nominated for the Mercury Prize said the brothers encouraged her to finish her second albumwith a motivational voice message.

“You have to think about it in life,” John explained.

“Don’t always think you’re the main character. Reach out to other people. Serve that tennis ball and see what they do.

“It’s always about keeping that spark alive.”

To be honest, they were absolutely brilliant.

7) The tribute to Liam Payne was perfectly judged

Liam Payne won 12 MTV EMAs during his tenure in One Direction, and later used the ceremony to launch his solo career, performing his global hit Strip That Down at the 2017 ceremony.

It was completely normal that this event marked his death, but it is never easy to find the right tone in the middle of a huge showbiz event.

In the end, her friend and collaborator Rita Ora just spoke from the heart.

“There were so many ways we talked about honoring him,” she said. “But sometimes you just need to talk.”

Speaking directly to the camera, she shared her memories of the 31-year-old, as her voice cracked.

“Liam Payne was one of the kindest people I knew,” she said. “He brought so much joy into every room he walked into. And he left such a mark on this world.”

It was dark and restrained, but powerfully emotional. Ora wasn’t the only one crying.

8) Tyla paid tribute to Aaliyah

South African star Tyla, best known for her viral hit Water, won Best R&B and Best Afrobeats.

These awards mark the continuation of her rise, after being named one of the BBC sounds in 2024 – but she made sure to honor her inspirations.

On the red carpet, she wore a vintage Roberto Cavalli dress with a turquoise blue zebra print.

The same dress had already been worn by American rapper Eve during the 2000 Soul Train Awards.

And R&B legend Aaliyah wore a canary yellow version to the 2000 MTV Awards, where she won best female video for Try Again.

The ceremony took place in September 2000, less than a year before Aaliyah’s tragic death in a plane crash.

The singer was only 22 at the time, the same age as Tyla today.