Rick Astley challenges U2 for best act ever

RICK ASTLEY has become a surprise contender for best act ever at this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards.

Two decades after his single hit the top spot in 16 countries, Astley’s fans have taken its title Never Gonna Give You Up quite literally, by selecting him for nomination.

Astley, in his first ever nomination in the history of the MTV Europe Music Awards, will compete against Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Green Day, Tokio Hotel and U2 for best act ever.

“The audience has spoken and MTV has been well and truly ‘Rickrolled’,” said Richard Godfrey, senior executive producer, MTV Europe Music Awards.

A clip of Never Gonna Give You Up has been viewed around the world due to “Rickrolling”, whereby internet users click onto an enticing link which shows the 1987 video.

Voting is open to all at www.mtvema.com.