Drake trips over Rihanna's gown backstage at MTV VMAs

Rapper Drake narrowly avoided embarrassment backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards after tripping over Rihanna's ball gown.

The R&B superstar was chosen as the recipient of this year's (16) Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, and her frequent collaborator and rumoured beau Drake was on hand to present her with the prestigious golden Moonman trophy at Sunday's (28Aug16) ceremony.

Drake almost fell flat on his face in front of Rihanna as he escorted the singer backstage at Madison Square Garden after getting caught up in the hem of her champagne-coloured dress.

In video footage posted on Instagram by an MTV employee, the Canadian rapper just catches his balance and recovers from the stumble with a little fancy footwork, as Rihanna laughs off his clumsiness.

The Work hitmakers later hit the town together to celebrate Rihanna's big win, keeping the party going until the early hours of Monday (29Aug16) at Manhattan's Up & Down club.

The Bajan beauty changed into a fringed green jumpsuit for the afterparty bash, while Drake ditched his classic black tuxedo for a more casual jeans and T-shirt look.

Their club outing occurred after 29-year-old Drake professed his love for Rihanna as he presented her with the top MTV prize and hailed the star for "ascending to an untouchable level" in her career.

"We love the woman who hasn't changed since day one," he declared in his heart-warming speech. "She's someone I've been in love with since I was 22 years old. She's one of my best friends in the world. All my adult life, I've looked up to her even though she's younger than me. She's a living breathing legend in our industry."