Justin Timberlake swept the MTV Video Music Awards last night (25.08.13).

The 32-year-old singer - who returned to music this year after taking a hiatus to focus on his acting career - celebrated the success of his comeback as he took home four statues at the music awards ceremony, including the Video of the Year prize for 'Mirrors' and a lifetime achievement gong titled the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

Justin also picked up gongs for Best Direction for 'Suit & Tie' and Best Editing for 'Mirrors'.

The singing sensation - who is married to actress Jessica Biel - paid homage to his career by performing a medley of his biggest hits including 'Cry Me A River' and 'SexyBack', but the icing on the cake was a reunion with his former boy band, *NSYNC.

Bandmates Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick joined Justin on stage in the middle of his show-stopping performance to sing two of the group's best-loved songs, 'Bye Bye Bye' and 'Girlfriend'.

The 'Mirrors' hitmaker later paid tribute to his former group as he accepted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

He said: ''Half of the Moonmen I ever won, I won with those four guys ... I'm going to share this with them.''

'Thrift Shop' stars Macklemore & Ryan Lewis won three awards including Best Hip-Hop Video and Best Cinematography for 'Can't Hold Us', and Best Video with a Social Message for 'Same Love'.

Other winners included Bruno Mars, who accepted two statues, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and One Direction.

Performances on the night came from Lady GaGa - who opened the show with the first live performance of her new song 'Applause' - Robin Thicke, Miley Cyrus, Kanye West and Katy Perry, who closed the ceremony by giving a rousing rendition of her new single 'Roar' under the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City.

MTV Video Music Awards 2013 winners:

Video of the Year: Justin Timberlake, 'Mirrors'

Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award: Justin Timberlake

Best Male Video: Bruno Mars, 'Locked Out of Heaven'

Best Female Video: Taylor Swift, 'I Knew You Were Trouble'

Best Pop Video: Selena Gomez, 'Come and Get It'

Best Hip-Hop Video: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton, 'Can't Hold Us'

Best Rock Video: Thirty Seconds to Mars, 'Up in the Air'

Song of the Summer: One Direction, 'Best Song Ever'

Artist to Watch: Austin Mahone: 'What About Love'

Best Collaboration: Pink feat. Nate Ruess, 'Just Give Me a Reason'

Best Choreography: Bruno Mars, 'Treasure'

Best Editing: Justin Timberlake, 'Mirrors'

Best Direction: Justin Timberlake feat. Jay Z, 'Suit & Tie'