Beyonce's baby bump steals the show at MTV Video Music Awards

By Daniela Elser LADY Gaga dressed as a dude, Katy Perry won the top gong, but Beyonce was the talk of the MTV Video Music Awards.

Nicki Minaj

LADY Gaga turned up as a dude, Britney Spears picked up a lifetime achievement award and Katy Perry took home the night's top gong, but it was Beyonce's baby bump that stole the show at today's MTV Video Music Awards.

The Single Ladies singer skipped the usual PR route to announce she is set to become a mama, instead taking to the VMA’s signature black carpet to proudly reveal her rounded stomach.

She also gave a heart-thumping performance of Love on Top before telling the crowd (including her beaming husband Jay-Z): "I want you to feel the love that's growing inside of me."

Want to hear the songs that scored today? Scroll down for our VMA playlist

With #WhatWillLadyGagaWear the top-trending topic on Twitter as the show kicked off, Gaga kicked off proceedings as her male alter-ego Jo Calderone, smoking and swearing, before launching into her latest song, You and I.

Picking up gongs for Best Video with a Message and Best Female Video for Born this Way, Gaga/Calderone stayed in character telling the audience: “I am so, so happy to accept the award tonight - Gaga’s not here.”

In a curious move, “veteran” Britney Spears was awarded the Michael Jackson Vanguard award, a gong that recognises lifetime achievement in the music industry and that has previously been awarded to the likes of Madonna, U2 and the Beastie Boys.

Presenting Spears with the award, Gaga/Calderone paid tribute to the Toxic singer’s influence, saying: "When I used to perform for free at open mic nights at New York clubs one of my biggest inspirations was Britney Spears.

"She's a pop music legend and the industry would not be the same without her.

Lady Gaga Britney Spears

Spears also won the award for Best Pop Video, while a bespectacled Justin Bieber beat out heavyweights Cee Lo Green, Eminem, Bruno Mars and Kanye West to take home the Best Male Video Moonman.

Katy Perry lead the nominations going into the awards show, but picked up two - Best Video of the Year for Firework and she shared the Best Collaboration gong with Kanye West.

The Best Hip-Hop Moonman went to Nicki Minaj, wearing a Lady Gaga-esque outfit that almost defied description, while veteran rockers the Foo Fighters took home Best Rock Video.

Nicki Minaj

It was a disappointing night for Adele fans. The British singer, who was up for seven awards, only finished the night with Best Art Direction, Best Editing, and Best Cinematography Moonmen.