Stage invasions, gags about politicians and rousing performances – The BRITs 2026 had it all
12:23, 01 Mar 2026Updated 13:47, 01 Mar 2026
(Image: Getty Images)
Homegrown talent and international icons swigged Champagne shoulder-to-shoulder last as the BRITs christened its new home – Manchester’s Co-op Live. For the first time in the award’s near 50-year history the BRITs moved out of London for a jam-packed night of award wins, dazzling performances and an array of surprise guests.
At home, fans tuned in from all over the country, and across the world, for an electric year one of two in Manchester, with The BRITs delivering a thrilling two and a half hour show, hosted by award-winning comedian, actor, presenter and writer Jack Whitehall.
The ceremony featured award wins that recognised the artists that achieved significant commercial and chart impact in the previous year, as well as celebrating legends and icons for their undeniable influence on music and culture. There were also 10 phenomenal performances across five stages within the arena that boasted special guests galore.
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The history-making ceremony saw British star Olivia Dean win the most awards of the night including Artist and Album of the Year, while Lola Young won her first ever BRIT for Breakthrough Artist. Best Group was delivered to Wolf Alice with an impassioned speech about supporting grassroots music, and Manchester’s own Noel Gallagher thanked his brother Liam as he was bestowed with the award for Songwriter of the Year.
Arguably one of the boldest BRIT Awards in recent history, its new home injected some much-needed energy into proceedings, with some rousing and spine-tingling performances, bizarre chats with Manchester stars, and plenty of censored moments. Here we take a look at some of those standout moments from the biggest night in British music.
Jack Whitehall’s gags
Jack Whitehall on stage during The BRIT Awards 2026 (Image: Getty Images)
The comedian and actor is well accustomed to the city having studied at the University of Manchester, which may explain why he didn’t hold back when it came to the jokes and sketches while on hosting duties.
It kicked off with a sketch starring Harry Styles as the comedian essentially stalked the pop star, before Jack got into things taking aim at the ceremony being held in Manchester for the first time in almost 50 years. He said: “The Brit Awards has done what anyone in their 40s does, moved out of London.”
The comedian also spoke about Britpop group Oasis, who were formed in Manchester in the 1990s He said: “Oasis reforming, and the Brits moving here. It really has been a remarkable year for Manchester’s drug dealer.” And he also called Noel ‘Manchester’s final boss’ which went down a treat, while Shaun and Bez he declared had “aged like service station flowers”. Spotting Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham he told the audience: “This is the only party he’s allowed into these days” referencing Prime Minister Keir Starmer blocking him from standing in this week’s by-election, and then was then a joke about another politician, which was in fact censored.
Surprise stars
Bjork makes a surprise appearance during the Brit Awards 2026 at Co-op Live(Image: PA)
The unlikely trio of Bjork, Dua Lipa and Wu-Tang’s Ghostface Killah were not on our BRITs bingo card, but then shame on us because the award’s ceremony is all about expecting the unexpected.
Have you ever descended into a room via a huge glittering dancing ball? No, well Dua Lipa has, body-suit, fishnets and chic jacket and all, as she joined Mark Ronson’s performance following his Outstanding Contribution Award. Ghostface climbed out of a New York-style taxi for the medley too, which was as slick as they come.
Audacious, spellbinding and dramatic is the best way to describe Catalonia singer Rosalía’s rendition of her recent single Berghain. As if the musical masterpiece which felt part colosseum chic, part street party and finished on a night club rave wasn’t enough, she then brought out Icelandic icon Bjork dressed like the Purple One from a Quality Street tub. Chef’s Kiss.
Bez and Shaun deep chats
(Image: PA)
They seem to get everywhere these two – and fair play to them, they have a great publicist and their musical forays have stood the test of time. But we all know a chat with Bez and Shaun can descend into chaos. And that’s essentially what happened.
Jack Whitehall, about an hour or so in, decided to go and pull up a pew with them and put the world to rites. A bit like an after show at your mates house at 5am and nothing quite makes sense, they talked the secret to their relationship, with Shaun quipping: “A 42-year sexless marriage,” taking over from Tess and Claudia on Strictly, and some unrepeatable gag about Paddington Bear. Carnage.
Sombr’s stage invasion
(Image: Redferns)
The BRITs always have those ‘oh my god did they really just happen moments, where the entire room takes a sharp inhale of breath. As New York singer-songwriter Sombr took the stage to perform his hit ‘Undressed’ it wasn’t long before a stage invader ran directly at him, before being tackled to the ground by security guards.
“Did that just happen” a few of us muttered around the table?” about to make our calls to the press office.
Turns out it was an elaborate prank. The golden curtain fell and the singer took to his podium once more to finish his set. PRs confirmed it was part of the show and if you look closely you can see the ‘invader’ was wearing a ‘Sombr is a homewrecker’ t-shirt in a node to his next single.
Spellbinding performances
(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Harry Styles mania was bolstered last night as he opened the show with his performance of Aperture. Though it was quickly clipped and shared across social media thousands of times, the man is not just hype though, and his return to the stage ahead of his album launch next week – at Co-op Live – was the perfect opener. Slick, joyful and with commanding choreography to boot, it was a delight to watch it unfold.
RAYE was back to reclaim her flowers too, having previously won a record six awards at the last ceremony. She delivered a jazz-ed up version of Where Is My Husband! Backed by her band, the medley with her latest single Nightingale Lane showed her voice is at its finest. Rosalia as previously mentioned was mesmerising oozing elegance as Jack Whitehall called her performance the ‘closest thing to opera on the ITV since to Go Compare adverts’.
Ronson’s all-star medley was exquisite with nods to the late Amy Winehouse making it particularly poignant, while the night’s closer, a huge tribute to the one and only Ozzy Osbourne was epic. Featuring a special arrangement of Black Sabbath’s 1991 song No More Tears, with Robbie Williams joined on stage by musicians who have previously played as part of Ozzy’s band, including keyboardist Adam Wakeman, Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, drummer Tommy Clufetos and guitarist Zakk Wylde, it was delivered with grit, respect and rockstar energy.