Sean Astin and Elijah Wood with their golden popcorn

The second part of Tolkien's fantasy trilogy won four awards at the light-hearted ceremony, including best movie, best action sequence, and best on-screen team for Elijah Wood, Sean Astin and slimy virtual character Gollum.

The computer generated baddie also won the new prize for best virtual performance, which was accepted by actor Andy Serkis - who voiced the character and performed the movements for its animation.

But as Serkis was thanking film-maker Peter Jackson and his team, an emaciated Gollum appeared to snatch his prize back.

"You're a liar and a thief - it's mine!," he hissed, before delivering a expletive-filled tirade against the cast, crew and MTV.

Yoda accepts his prize on screen

Competition for the prize came from Yoda, the little green Jedi from Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones; the jabbering marsupial in Kangaroo Jack; Dobby the elf in Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets; and Scooby-Doo.

Yoda had his day at the Shine Auditorium though, winning a prize for his fight scene with Christopher Lee.

The character appeared on a giant screen to accept his award, speaking in his trademark circuituous manner.

"Hmmm... grateful am I to this award receive. To win, I did not expect," he said.

Full list of winners

"Promise myself cry I would not."

He thanked supporters both real and virtual, before becoming angry as music cut short his speech.

The winners in the MTV awards are picked by the network's viewers, and the whole ceremony is presented as an alternative to the usual Hollywood award shows.

Colin Farrell accepts his prize from the Beckhams

Rapper Eminem took best male and breakthrough male for 8 Mile, and he took a pop at Mariah Carey's romantic flop Glitter in his taped acceptance speech.

"I can't believe I beat Mariah for Glitter," he said.

Kristen Dunst won best actress for Spider-Man, and she also shared best kiss for her clinch with Tobey Maguire in the same film.

Another superhero star, Jennifer Garner, won breakthrough for playing Elektra in Daredevil.

Irish star Colin Farrell won the trans-Atlantic breakthrough award for his leading role in sniper thriller Phone Booth.

His prize was presented by former Spice Girls star Victoria Beckham and husband David.

Pictures from the awards

Other presenters included Mark Walhberg, Samuel L Jackson, Hugh Jackson and singer Beyonce Knowles, while Pink and Russian duo Tatu performed on stage.

The show was compered by Justin Timberlake and American Pie actor Seann William Scott, who performed a spoof of The Matrix Reloaded.

In it, Timberlake used his 'NSync dance moves to combat a growling computerised "agent" played by Scott.

MTV viewers in the US and Canada can see the show on Thursday, while those in the UK and Ireland will see it on Saturday.

Best movie - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Actor - Eminem, 8 Mile

Actress - Kirsten Dunst, Spider-Man

Kiss - Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Spider-Man

Action sequence - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Fight - Yoda and Christopher Lee, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

Breakthrough female performance - Jennifer Garner, Daredevil

Breakthrough male performance - Eminem, 8 Mile

Trans-Atlantic breakthrough - Colin Farrell, Phone Booth

Comedic performance - Mike Myers, Austin Powers in Goldmember

On-screen team - Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Gollum, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Virtual Performance - Gollum, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers