Best moments from the 2016 Billboard Music Awards

May 23, 2016May 23, 2016, 10:50 AM GMT+1

Adele was unable to attend this year's Billboard Awards, but she still managed to steal the show. The music video for her brand new single, Send My Love (To Your New Lover), had its world premiere at the ceremony – and the star also received five awards on the night, including Top Artist, Top Female Artist and Top Selling Song.

Britney Spears was the recipient of this year's prestigious Millennium Award, and to celebrate she opened the show with a medley of some of her biggest hits. The star brought her back catalogue to life with tracks including Womanizer, I love Rock 'n' Roll, I'm a Slave 4 U and Toxic, and at one point even rode a giant guitar on stage.

Four months after losing her beloved husband, Celine Dion delivered a powerful and emotional performance of Queen's The Show Must Go On. The poignant words of the track, delivered in Celine's powerful vocals, really struck a chord with the audience – and they were left teary-eyed when the star was then surprised on stage by her eldest son René-Charles, who handed her the Icon Award. Thanking her family, fans, her team, and her label, Celine then paid tribute to "my beloved husband, whom I know will continue to watch over me from up above".

Kesha received one of the night's longest standing ovations after performing a cover of Bob Dylan's 1964 song It Ain't Me, Babe. There was speculation that the 29-year-old star, who is embroiled in a legal battle with former mentor Dr Luke, who not perform, but she took to the stage and delivered one of the ceremony's most memorable moments.

Madonna paid tribute to Prince at the 2016 awards, performing Nothing Compares 2 U while sat on a purple throne. She was then joined on stage by surprise guest Stevie Wonder, and the two stars sang Purple Rain together, in honour of the late icon, who passed away suddenly on 21 April. "Thank you, thank you so much, ladies and gentlemen. And most of all, thank you, Prince Rogers Nelson, for all that you have given us. Thank you. Good night," Madonna said after the performance.

Pink has a reputation for her show-stopping live performances – and she didn't disappoint. The star gave a spectacular rendition of her song Just Like Fire, all the while flying through the air against a backdrop of real flames.

The Weeknd was the night's big winner, taking home an impressive eight awards, including Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Album, Top Hot 100 Artist and Top Song Sales Artist. The Canadian star was visibly emotional as he dedicated one of his wins to Prince. "I didn't know him but he was very close to me. He helped me push the envelope as well as doing the same to every artist forever. Rest in peace Prince," he said.