Canadian teen singing star Justin Bieber and US rapper Eminem were the big winners at the Billboard Music Awards.

Each of the stars from the opposite ends of the musical spectrum, won six awards with Eminem taking home the accolade for artist of the year despite not being there himself to pick up the award in person.

In the first televised Billboard Music Awards ceremony since 2006 Justin Bieber thanked everyone for his success saying that he wanted to thank “everybody who helped me get out of my home town.”

Justin Bieber added: “I'm 17. Every day is crazy to me because I see so many people and I get to make so many people smile.”

Bieber unsurprisingly won the award for fan favourite as well as the award for top new artist on the night while Eminem was given the awards for top male artist and top artist in his haul of six awards.

British sensation Taio Cruz flew the flag for the UK on the night winning the award for best single for Dynamite while the Irish rockers U2 won the award for bets tour for their record breaking 360 Degrees Tour.

A host of stars attended the event with big names hitting the stage including Britney Spears and Rihanna who opened the show with a duet version of Rihanna's hit S&M. Neil Diamond, Cee Lo Green and Keith Urban all also performed.

Neil Diamond sang his huge hit Sweet Caroline, originally made famous in 1969, after he won the icon award at the ceremony.

The awards were given to stars based on levels of popularity which took into account not only chart performances but also levels of social internet popularity and streaming activity.