Spears, Winehouse lead MTV Europe award nominations

Despite their personal problems, Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse remain a favourite with fans and lead the nominations for best act at this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards, it was announced Monday. Singer Beyonce is also up for an award and is expected to perform at the November 6 event in Liverpool, northwest England.

The 27-year-old former member of Destiny’s Child is competing against Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Kanye West and Lil Wayne in the ‘ultimate urban’ category, one of 10 awards at the event voted for by music fans.

In the ‘best act of 2008’ category, Spears will be up against soul singer Winehouse, who has struggled with drugs and alcohol, as well as Coldplay, Leona Lewis and Rihanna.

Following psychiatric treatment earlier this year, former US teen sensation Spears appears to be back on course, and her new album, Blackout, has also been nominated for album of the year.

She will be again competing against Coldplay and Leona Lewis, as well as Welsh singer Duffy, and Alicia Keys.

Foo Fighters, The Cure, Tokio Hotel, Linkin’ Park and Metallica are up for the best live band award, while the latter two groups are also nominated in the rock category alongside Slipknot, Paramore and 30 Seconds to Mars.

Duffy, Jonas Brothers, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and One Republic are nominated in the best new act category, while at the other end of the age spectrum, The Beatles and Madonna are among 40 nominations for best act ever.

Ten of the awards will be voted by music fans through MTV’s website, with a final category decided by the music channel itself.