Astley up for 'surprise' MTV gong
Updated on 02 October 2008
Rick Astley has become a surprise contender at this year's MTV Europe Music Awards.
The singer, who's never received an MTV nomination before, is up for best act ever and will compete against Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Green Day, Tokio Hotel and U2.
Astley's popularity was revived this year thanks to 'Rickrolling', a prank which leads unsuspecting internet users to a video of his 1987 hit, Never Gonna Give You Up, when they click a link.
Richard Godfrey, MTV's senior vice president, said: "The audience has spoken and MTV has been well and truly 'Rickrolled'.
"This surprise nomination truly demonstrates that the MTV Europe Music Awards is the most democratically selected awards show there is.
"Rick's fans have obviously decided that he deserves recognition as a pop icon and no doubt they are determined to make sure he wins on the night."
The 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Liverpool Echo Arena on Thursday, November 6.
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