She can’t help but take digs at her ex Harry Styles at nearly every awards show.

And Taylor Swift continued the trend as she appeared to back-handedly thank the One Direction singer for their failed romance after receiving an award for Best Female Video at the MTV VMAs on Sunday.

The 23-year-old was given the honour for her song I Knew You Were Trouble, which was penned with Styles in mind after she felt spurned by the handsome Brit, 19, following their first of two attempts at a romance.

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Back-handed compliment: Taylor Swift thanked Harry Styles as the inspiration for I Knew You Were Trouble in her speech after winning Best Female Video, on Sunday at the MTV VMAs

Close encounter: Taylor passed Harry as she strolled up to receive her award, while Rihanna chatted looked the other way

After being presented with her astronaut trophy by Pharrell Williams and Daft Punk it appeared that Taylor took the opportunity to take a swipe at 19-year-old Harry.

She said: ‘I want to thank the fans because I tweeted about this a lot, I really wanted this.’

But then quickly added: ‘I also want to thank the person who inspired this song because he knows exactly who he is, because now I’ve got one of these’, the camera then panned to an awkward looking Harry chewing some gum.

Cue polite clapping: Harry looks awkward as Taylor appears to reference him on-stage

Oh dear: Nialll Horan and Louis Tomlinson seem to be smirking at Harry’s expense, who doesn’t know where to look

However, it looked like his bandmates Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson were finding it quite amusing as they smirked at each other at Harry’s expense.

Continuing to shield their identity, the duo known as Daft Punk, hit the stage in matching sparkling jackets and futuristic chrome helmets that conveniently served to mask their real faces.

Fitting in with the DJs, Pharrell also wore a glittering jacket as he smiled broadly while proffering the honour to Swift.

The winning moment: The 23-year-old singer was thrilled as she was announced the victor, while pal Selena Gomez sat by

Quite the presenters: Taylor was given the award by Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams

But it was not the only odd moment for Taylor regarding her ex on Sunday.

Styles’ band One Direction were the presenters for Best Pop Video, and when the boys walked on stage the 22 singer appeared to mouth an obscenity: ‘Shut the f*** up’.

It was unclear if the words actually left Taylor’s mouth, but it was certainly consistent with her swipe at Harry later in the evening. 

Awkward. Harry Styles slow claps Swift’s acceptance speech

Controversial: Swift is thought to have mouth an obscenity when Styles hit the stage to present an award

Unimpressed: Taylor reacts as she watches her ex Harry accept Song Of The Summer with his bandmates

Straight face: Taylor fixes her eyes on Harry as One Direction accept their award for Song Of The Summer

The feelings mutual: Justin Timberlake and Taylor grabbed a quick chat

A little secret: Justin came in close to whisper something in the 22 singer’s ear

Meanwhile, Taylor was channelling Marilyn Monroe glamour with her hair done in delicate blonde curls.

Completing the country singer’s old Hollywood ’50s ensemble was a black gown featuring a plunging neckline.

Meanwhile, Taylor sent out a strong message to ex-boyfriend Harry at the Grammys earlier this year.

Presenting a winner: The Everything Has Changed singer handed off a gong to Bruno Mars

Happy man: Austin Mahone stole a snap with Taylor

Congratulations: Drake gave the country singer a hug as she walked to the winner’s podium

Sharing a laugh: Taylor and Selena shared a private joke

The gong: Swift won for Best Female Video

In an apparent dig at her former British love, the singer adopted an English accent as she pretended to speak on her phone mid-performance during a rendition of We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.

‘I’m sorry, I’m busy opening the Grammys and we’re never getting back together,’ she quipped, seemingly mocking Styles.

The interlude punctuated an incredible performance by the singer, who parted from Harry in early January after a holiday to the British Virgin Islands went sour.

Posing with the big guy: The pop star was clearly happy with her astronaut

Old Hollywood glamour: The country singer seemed to channel Marilyn Munroe in a revealing black gown

The boys: Harry Styles posed with his One Direction bandmates on the VMA red carpet, including Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Niall Horan

Taylor wrote the song after the pair briefly dated in Spring 2012, but ended their flirtation when he was photographed kissing American model Emma Ostily in New Zealand that April.

By November, they had given their romance another try and spent New Year’s together in New York City.

But just a few days later, they split after rowing on holiday in the Caribbean, with their romance lasting just two months.

Better times: Harry and Taylor pictured in New York near the end of their romance in February