Justin Timberlake dedicates iHeart Radio Award to ‘different’ young people in moving speech

Justin Timberlake dedicated his iHeart Radio Award to young people who are “different” in a moving acceptance speech.

Timberlake, 36, took home the Song of the Year gong for his hit single, Can’t Stop The Feeling, at Sunday night’s annual bash.

The singer said he wanted to speak to “young people” in a bid to encourage them to celebrate their differences and to say ‘f*** off’ to critics.

Speaking to the crowd he said: “This really is an honour. I wrote this song because I wanted it to be about inclusion, about being together.

“And so, I guess I want to take this opportunity to speak to young people right now, because there’s a lot of you looking at me.

“If you are black or you are brown or you are gay or you’re a lesbian or you are trans — or maybe you’re just a sissy singing boy from Tennessee. Anyone who’s treating you unkindly, it’s only because they are afraid or they have been taught to be afraid of how important you are.

“Because being different means you make the difference. So, f*** them.”

Other big winners on the night included British band Coldplay who were awarded the Best Tour gong.

Frontman Chris Martin was the only member at the event so replaced his fellow bandmates with three children.

One young girl stood on a chair to reach the microphone as she read out the acceptance speech to cheers from the audience.

She joked that Martin and his bandmates could rival One Direction and said they were all going to "party hard" after winning the award.

Full list of winners:

Song of the Year

Can't Stop the Feeling - Justin Timberlake

Best New Artist

The Chainsmokers

Alternative Rock Song of the Year

Heathens - Twenty one pilots

Alternative Rock Artist of the Year

Twenty one pilots

Rock Song of the Year

Bang Bang - Green Day

Rock Artist of the Year

Disturbed

Country Artist of the Year

Thomas Rhett

Dance Song of the Year

Closer - The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey

R&B Song of the Year

Work - Rihanna featuring Drake

R&B Artist of the Year

Rihanna

Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist: (New Category)

The Strumbellas

Best New Country Artist: (New Category)

Kelsea Ballerini

Best New Hip-Hop Artist: (New Category)

Chance The Rapper

Best New Latin Artist: (New Category)

CNCO

Best New R&B Artist: (New Category)

Bryson Tiller

Best New Regional Mexican Artist: (New Category)

Joss Favela

Best New Pop Artist: (New Category)

The Chainsmokers

Best Lyrics: *Socially Voted Category

Love Yourself - Justin Bieber - WINNER

Best Song from a Movie: *Socially Voted Category

Girls Talk Boys - 5 Seconds of Summer (Ghostbusters)

Best Music Video

Pillowtalk - ZAYN

Best Fan Army presented by Taco Bell: *Socially Voted Category

Fifth Harmony - Harmonizes