Rick Astley up for Best Act Ever at MTV Awards !

Eighties pop icon Rick Astley is no doubt as surprised as the rest of us to discover he's been nominated for Best Act Ever at the MTV Europe Music Awards. The 42-year-old singer hasn't bothered the UK charts in nearly 20 years, and yet this year's Rick-rolling phenomenon appears to be enough to clinch him a place alongside fellow nominees Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and U2. Astley enjoyed a belated return to the limelight when a viral campaign deliberately misdirecting people to one of his music videos made national headlines.

The show's producer Richard Godfrey told the BBC: "Rick's fans have obviously decided that he deserves recognition as a pop icon and no doubt they are determined to make sure he wins on the night."

Astley has never been nominated for an MTV award before and fans will vote online to choose this year's Best Act Ever. But whether tricking millions of internet users into viewing his 1987 hit Never Gonna Give You Up will equate to actual votes remains to be seen.

The winner will be revealed when the show airs on November 6.

U2 Warn Fans Over Fake Concert Tickets

Irish rock band U2 have warned fans that concert tickets currently being advertised for sale are not real, as they have not confirmed any live shows. The group said reports claiming they are performing soon were "mistaken".

"There are no tour dates for the band at the moment, so please don't buy tickets for U2 shows you see advertised," they said in a statement. The group added that any future concert announcements will be made first on their official website.

Last year they denied reports that claimed they were planning a series of concerts at the O2 arena in London. The band have been working on new material since 2006, with producers including Rick Rubin, Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno. A new album is expected later this year, and many online agencies are advising fans to pre-register for a predicted world tour in 2009.

Buy official U2 Merchandise
.