U2 opened the European MTV Awards in style at the end of last week. Not having released any music in the qualifying period, the band were not nominated for any awards but their blistering rendition of Beautiful Day got the audience on their feet right from the start of the show.



Bono's pal Wyclef  Jean, hosted the proceedings - the pair had a hit together last year with New Day -   which were said to have been screened to an  estimated one billion people in 130 different countries.



While Madonna dominated reports of the event after winning two awards, there was praise for U2's set - and particularly for Bono's choice of apparel.  As the front page banner headline on  one Irish newspaper put it, 'Bono's Unforgettable Jacket as Madonna Steals Show'.



'U2 provided one of the highlights of the night when they performed live,' reported The Daily Star. 'Although Bono was obviously not expecting a Beautiful Day as he appeared dressed in an Arthur Daly-style sheepskin coat.'