By ARCHIE RICE

It takes strict dieting and countless sit-ups to achieve the perfect washboard stomach.

But playful Zac Efron appeared to have some assistance as he showcased his six-pack while accepting the Best Shirtless Performance award at the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday.

His natural musculature seemed to be enhanced with make-up as he moved around the stage at the Nokia Theatre after Rita Ora tore his shirt off.

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Zac l’orange: Efron’s pale face did not match his tangerine torso at the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday

To top it off, his appearance was made even more awkward by a fake tan mishap, with his orange-toned torso sharply contrasting his fair face.

Thankfully the 26-year-old seemed blissfully ignorant as he hammed it up for the crowd, confidently gesticulating as the ladies in the audience screeched with approval.

Of course he had every reason to look smug, given he had just been given the award for Best Shirtless Performance for his turn in That Awkward Moment, and he seems to putting the embarrassment of being caught up in a brawl in L.A’s sketchy, drug riddled Skid Row area behind him.

Ab-solutely suspicious: The star’s washboard stomach seemed enhanced by make-up

Someone has a cunning plan in mind: Rita Ora had a glint in her eye as Zac greeted his fans as he came onstage

It beats an Oscar: The star looked delighted to have scooped the Best Shirtless Performance gong

Keep your shirt on: Impatient Rita could not resist ripping his convenient snap buttons open as he waffled

Shirt off: Rita helped Zac take his shirt off as his hands were full

He had already promised via Twitter to accept his award shirtless should he win, but seemed to be going back on his word as he hummed and hawed on stage.

Zac, who was clearly delighted to have landed the prestigious honour, told the crowd: ‘I don’t really know what to say, but thank you so much to my fans.’

However his speech seemed to rile Calvin Harris’ current squeeze Rita, who ordered him to, ‘please take your shirt off,’ when he sauntered up to pick up his popcorn statuette.

So she sped up the process herself by sneaking up behind him and ripping off his top denim shirt as he delivered his boring speech.

Conan’s had a lot of help: The funnyman donned a muscle suit ahead of the shirtless category

That Awkward Moment: But he seemed rather pleased to be able to finally show off his muscles

Basking in the acclaim: Both Rita and fellow award presenter Jessica Alba seemed spellbound as Zac addressed the crowd

Two gun salute: The star flexed his biceps as he held both hands to his temples

Earned it: Zac showed why he deserved the award

Cash who? Jessica seemed very impressed by the strapping young man as they posed together

MTV MOVIE AWARDS 2014 WINNERS LIST

BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE

Jennifer Lawrence, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

BEST MALE PERFORMANCE

Josh Hutcherson, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

BEST ON-SCREEN TRANSFORMATION

Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE

Jonah Hill, The Wolf Of Wall Street

BEST VILLAIN

Mila Kunis, Oz The Great And Powerful

BEST SHIRTLESS PERFORMANCE

Zac Efron, That Awkward Moment

TRAILBLAZER AWARD

Channing Tatum

THE BEST KISS

Will Poulter Jennifer Aniston, and Emma Roberts, We’re The Millers

BEST MUSICAL MOMENT

Backstreet Boys, Jay Baruchel, Seth Rogen and Craig Robinson perform in Heaven, This is the End

THE GENERATION AWARD

Mark Wahlberg

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE

Will Poulter, We’re the Millers

BEST SCARED AS-S*** PERFORMANCE

Brad Pitt, World War Z

BEST ONSCREEN DUO

Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, Fast & Furious 6

BEST CAMEO PERFORMANCE

Rihanna, This Is The End

BEST HERO

Henry Cavill as Clark Kent, Man of Steel

#WTF MOMENT

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street

FAVOURITE CHARACTER

Shailene Woodley, Divergent