NELLY - NELLY AND MICHELLE BRANCH REPORT ROBBERIES

Hip-hop star NELLY and singer MICHELLE BRANCH had their appearance at last night's (27OCT03) 2003 RADIO MUSIC AWARDS marred after they learned their hotel rooms were robbed.

HOT IN HERRE rapper Nelly, real name CORNELL HAYNES, had more than $1 million (GBP625,000) worth of jewellery stolen from his Las Vegas, Nevada, room at the ALADDIN hotel and casino.

EVERYWHERE singer Branch, who also was staying at the Aladdin, reported that computer equipment was stolen from her room.

Las Vegas police officer TINA ELLISON says the burglaries are under investigation.

But the night wasn't all bad for Nelly - he won the award for best driving song for SHAKE YA TAILFEATHER, which he performed during the show with SEAN 'P DIDDY' COMBS and MURPHY LEE.