Britney sweeps board at MTV Awards

1:36pm Monday 8th September 2008

Britney Spears has swept the board at MTV's Video Music Awards, in an appearance that was hailed as a "resurrection" of her career.

Spears, who has been nominated 16 times before but never won, thanked "God first and foremost for just blessing me like this" as she picked up the best video, best pop video and best female video awards for Piece Of Me.

British comedian Russell Brand, who presented the live show despite being a virtual unknown in the United States, hailed the "launch of a very new Britney Spears era".

"Consider this the resurrection of Britney Spears," he said.

"If there was a female Christ, it's Britney."

The 26-year-old troubled pop star thanked God, "my beautiful family, my two beautiful boys, for just inspiring me every day and my fans, this is for you".

She also paid tribute to her record label boss Barry Wise and her manager Larry Rudolf "for always believing in me" as she dedicated the top award to her "amazing fans out there for all of their support".

"This means a lot," she said.

Spears, who wore a short silver mini-dress with a plunging neckline showcasing her svelte figure, was given a standing ovation from the star-studded crowd even before she opened her mouth.

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