Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd win big at Much Music Video Awards

Los Angeles: Singers Ed Sheeran won the best international artist prize and The Weeknd bagged two top honours-- best video and pop video for his song "Often" at the Much Music Video Awards, both becoming the big winners.

Sheeran, 23, who appeared at the MMVAs for his fourth straight year and his first as host, was also named the most buzzworthy international artist at the ceremony held in Toronto, Canada.

"This is my fourth year and I've never won one. I feel like it's just because I'm presenting," he said while accepting the trophy for best international artist.

Sheeran sang "Photograph," a single from his "x" album, accompanied by a string quartet and pulsating drumming.

He returned to help wind up the MMVAs by performing his romantic ballad "Thinking Out Loud."

25-year-old R&B star The Weeknd, also known as Abel Tesfaye, beat out Arcade Fire, Kiesza, Grimes and Majid Jordan in the best video competition.

The Weeknd was also named the most buzzworthy Canadan artist, while Sam Pilling earned the best director trophy for his work on the "Often" video.

Only seven awards were handed out during the two-hour telecast on the CTV, Much Music and other cable channels, with Hailee Steinfeld, Brody Jenner, Adam Lambert, Lights, Cody Simpson and Gigi Hadid among the presenters.

Fall Out Boy provided the MMVA's opening number with the rock band's single "Uma Thurman," assisted by smoke machines. That was followed quickly by Carly Rae Jepsen performing "I Really Like You" on the west stage.

A big impromptu moment at the MMVAs came when Toronto's own Drake made a surprise appearance to help accept the best hip-hop video award for P Reign's "DnF", which featured the superstar rapper and Future, and was directed by Drake and Davin Black.

"My brother Drizzy Drake is in the building. That's my brother for life," a surprised Reign said after Drake dropped in for the prize-giving and unleashed a wall of screaming and shouting from his hometown fans.

Justin Bieber beat out Shawn Mendes, Drake and The Weeknd to win the Fan Fave best artist trophy. The Fan Fave best international artist or group prize went to boy band One Direction.