[Jared]

EMV short for: Europe Music Television Awards.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7646807.stm

Eighties pop singer Rick Astley has become the surprise contender for best act ever at this year's MTV Europe Music Awards in Liverpool.

The star, who has never been nominated in the history of the event, is up against U2, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Green Day and Tokio Hotel.

The winner, chosen by fans online, will be unveiled at the show on 6 November.

Astley returned to prominence this year when internet users were "tricked" into watching the video of his biggest hit.

Sole nomination

A craze called "Rickrolling" saw web users unwittingly follow links to Astley's videos. It led to millions of plays of Astley's song Never Gonna Give You Up, which reached number one in the UK in 1987.

It went on to become a number one hit in 15 other countries.

"Rick's fans have obviously decided that he deserves recognition as a pop icon and no doubt they are determined to make sure he wins on the night," said the award show's producer Richard Godfrey.

Madonna is up for the video star category with 4 Minutes - the only nomination she has received this year.

The 50-year-old pop star will battle it out with 30 Seconds to Mars, Santogold, Weezer and Snoop Dogg, who is hosting the ceremony.

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http://ema.mtv.co.uk/news/

01/10/2008
We’ve been “Rickrolled!”

Over twenty years after his hit single went to No. 1 in 16 countries, 80s pop star Rick Astley has been nominated in the category Best Act Ever as his fans take his hit single ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ literally and flock to write-in his name as a nominee.

Rick Astley – in his first ever nomination in the history of the MTV Europe Music Awards – will compete against Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Green Day, Tokio Hotel and U2 for Best Act Ever.

The finalists in the Video Star category were also revealed today as selected by MTV - with Madonna receiving her only EMA nomination this year for ‘4 Minutes’. She is battling for the Award against 30 Seconds to Mars, Santogold, Snoop Dogg and Weezer.

Here are all the nominees for Best Act Ever and Video Star:

Best Act Ever: Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Green Day, Rick Astley, Tokio Hotel, U2

Video Star: 30 Seconds to Mars – ‘A Beautiful Lie;’ Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake – ‘4 Minutes;’ Santogold – ‘L.E.S. Artistes;’ Snoop Dogg ‘Sensual Seduction;’ Weezer – ‘Pork and Beans.’

Vote now to determine who will win in Best Act Ever and watch on 6 November to see who MTV chose for Video Star.

What do you know, *** WINS