Bruno Mars kicks of MTV EMAs with Best Song award

Bruno Mars is celebrating after clinching the the Mtv Europe Music Awards ceremony's first prize after his Locked Out Of Heaven hit earned him the Best Song trophy.

The pop star beat off competition from Daft Punk (Get Lucky), Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (Thrift Shop), Rihanna (Diamonds) and Robin Thicke (Blurred Lines) to take home the trophy, which was presented by Teen Wolf actor Colton Haynes and Game Of Thrones star Candice van Houten.

Mars thanked his fans and manager in his acceptance speech and then revealed the win was extra special because his father had flown in to Amsterdam, Holland for the awards ceremony.

He said, "Listen y'all (you all) this song means so much to me... Thank you guys so much... I want to thank Atlantic records, I want to thank my manager. I got my pops here tonight, poppa Mars is in the building... Amsterdam thank you!"

Mars is also nominated for the Best Male award.

Other early winners include Katy Perry, who was named Best Female, Eminem (Best Hip Hop Award) and 30 Seconds to Mars (Best Alternative Act Award).

Miley Cyrus kicked off the ceremony with a space-themed performance of We Can't Stop, spanking a leather-clad little person and groping her breast, while Robin Thicke was joined by Iggy Azalea for a performance of his tracks Blurred Lines and Feel Good, and prizewinner Perry performed new track Unconditionally.