THE Top Of The Pops Awards comes back to Manchester tonight (Friday), with all of our favourite chart acts tussling for the trophies handed out by the world's favourite music TV show.

This year's event, at the Manchester Evening News Arena, looks set to be bigger and better than ever. Hosted by Ronan Keating, the show will feature 12 live performances from the likes of Craig David, Blue, Will Young, Gareth Gates, Moby and half-dressed pop princess Kylie.

There will also be two special collaborations that are being kept a closely guarded secret until tonight.

Sensational newcomer Ms Dynamite will grace the stage, and judging by recent music awards trends, will probably walk off with half of the prizes.

Categories such as Top Pop Act, Top Single, Top Tour and Top Newcomer have been voted for by the public and the programme's viewers over the last few months on the show's website.

The evening's organisers hope to make the bash as glamorous as the Oscars and as much fun as the MTV awards, but with an unmistakable Top Of The Pops flavour.

More than 14,000 fans will attend the huge event, broadcast on BBC One on Sunday, which will surely be a major event in the music calendar.