The MTV Europe Music Awards, which take place in Munich tonight, will return to the UK next year to be staged in Liverpool. The EMAs take place in a different European city each year, and in 2008 the European Capital Of Culture will host the annual bash at its new Echo Arena, which is due to open in January.
Confirming the decision to take the awards to Liverpool, the show's producer, Richard Godfrey, said yesterday: "Not only is [Liverpool] the European Capital Of Culture next year but the influence of its rich musical heritage is still felt today". Bryan Gray from the board of the city's Capital Of Culture initiative added: "It's pop music coming home. There was huge competition to stage these awards, so this is a major coup for Liverpool. This event and the plans we have to celebrate them will provide a huge international platform for the city, the arena and the music scene in Liverpool today".