Rod's family affair

Rod Stewart made it a family affair as he teamed up with all his children at the American Music Awards.

Stewart, 56, whose music and life has inspired the West End musical Tonight's The Night, appeared with his five children from previous marriages at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

With him was Liam, 10, Ruby, 16, Renee, 12, Sean, 22, and 24-year-old Kimberly, as well as girlfriend Penny Lancaster.

Sean, Stewart's son from first wife Alana, was sentenced to three months in jail last year for kicking a man unconscious outside a restaurant in California. Kimberly, is from the same marriage.

Renee and Liam are his children with model Rachel Hunter. Stewart had Ruby with his second wife Kelly Embers. The rock star has recently said that having children with girlfriend Penny Lancaster was not out of the question.

The awards ceremony, in its 31st year, was opened by Britney Spears.

Pink also performed a number. Among the winners was hip-hop star Missy Elliott, who arrived late for her own award - saying her car had been stolen. Jennifer Lopez won best female pop-rock artist.

R&B singer Luther Vandross, who suffered a stroke in April, won two prizes which his elderly mother accepted on his behalf.

Fleetwood Mac won the favourite band category in the pop-rock section and the Isley Brothers won the award in the soul category. Justin Timberlake won favourite album with Justified.