Madonna and the Spice Girls were the big winners at the 1998 MTV Europe Music Awards, which were announced last night during a ceremony hosted by Jenny McCarthy and held at the Filaforum in Milan, Italy.

Both Madonna and the Spice Girls captured two awards each, as Madonna won for Best Female, while her "Ray of Light" record was named Best Album. For their part, the Spice Girls were honored with a pair of EMAs in the Best Group and Best Pop categories.

Featured performers at the awards show included Busta Rhymes, Madonna, R.E.M., Rammstein, All Saints and Manic Street Preachers, while such artists and celebrities as Natalie Imbruglia, George Michael, Eagle Eye Cherry, Bush's Gavin Rossdale, Fun Lovin' Criminals and Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, were on hand to help present the awards.

The winners of the 1998 MTV Europe Music Awards:

• Best Male: Robbie Williams
• Best Female: Madonna
• Best Group: Spice Girls
• Best Dance: Prodigy
• Best Rock: Aerosmith