Beyonce Knowles performs at the MTV Europe Awards. (Reuters)

Edinburgh, Nov. 7 (Reuters): Cheered on by up to one billion pop fans around the world, American heartthrob Justin Timberlake was the big star of the MTV Europe Awards last night when he landed three top prizes.

“If I could have had a picture perfect night, it could not have been better than this,” said the overjoyed singer after sweeping all before him to cap a memorable year.

The Best Male Artist, Best Album and Best Pop Awards went to the former Mickey Mouse Club mouseketeer whose career has soared with the release of his critically acclaimed album Justified.

“I feel really, really blessed as I have worked so hard on this album,” said the US pin-up, who is now one of the biggest sex symbols in the pop business.

One of the biggest sensations of the night was pop diva Christina Aguilera who arrived on stage demurely dressed as a nun and then stripped down to one of her notoriously skimpy outfits that leave very little to the imagination.

Aguilera, who has been touring with Timberlake, hosted the extravaganza and certainly did not go away empty-handed from one of the biggest “Pop Oscar” shows of the year — she was named Best Female Artist.