The Wanted have trumped fellow boyband One Direction to the top title at Britain's Virgin Media Awards.

The two pop bands were both nominated for the Best Group trophy, but The Wanted pipped their rivals to first place by just 0.08 per cent of the public vote.

More than a million fans cast a ballot to put together the winners list, which also included Justin Bieber, who had no difficulty securing the Best Solo Artist title and Best Album for Believe.

Katy Perry's chart hit Wide Awake won the prize for Best Music Video, while in the Hollywood categories, Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch was named Best TV Actor and Downton Abbey's Dame Maggie Smith was Best TV Actress.

Kristen Stewart's fantasy film Snow White and The Huntsman was hailed as Best Movie, and she was named Hottest Actress. Her on/off boyfriend Robert Pattinson scooped the Hottest Actor prize.