Madonna leaves fans open-mouthed at MTV awards

In her inexorable rise to pop stardom, Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone sought every opportunity to set tongues wagging.

But Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera had little choice in the matter when the singer engaged them in a spot of French kissing in New York on Thursday night. The snogging at the 20th MTV Video Music Awards will have delighted organisers as much as Madonna's appearance in a white bustier wedding dress at the inaugural event in 1984, when she sang "Like a Virgin".

In a special tribute, Spears and Aguilera this year dressed in the same bridal attire to perform the Madonna classic. Madonna, who now lives in London and has acquired a Cockney accent, responded by shoving her Brigham Young (tongue) in their mouths, after singing her latest release, "Hollywood".

As for the awards, Coldplay picked up another three gongs. Beyonce Knowles and Justin Timberlake also won three MTV "moonmen" trophies.

Johnny Cash, the 71-year-old Country legend who was shortlisted for seven awards, won one, as did Eminem for his "Lose Yourself" video.