Rapper Drake has surprised singer Rihanna with a billboard following the news that she receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Drake congratulated the chart sensation on the news by purchasing her a huge sign - usually reserved for road-side advertisements - emblasoned with the words: “Congratulations to Rihanna from Drake and everyone at OVO”, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Rihanna could not hide her delight when she shared a photograph of her personalised billboard on Instagram and captioned it: "When he extra" alongside an emoji of a trophy.

Through this gesture, Drake and Rihanna, who were earlier in a relationship, have reignited dating rumours again.

Rihanna will also perform live at the VMAs on Sunday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.