The 2026 BRIT Awards had everything: record-breaking wins, viral reaction shots, emotional tributes — and a fair bit of censorship.
Held at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena and broadcast on ITV, the ceremony saw Olivia Dean emerge as the night’s undisputed star, scooping four major prizes. But while the trophies flowed freely, viewers at home didn’t see everything that unfolded inside the arena.
@universalmusicireland So emotional 😭 Olivia Dean is the Artist of The year ❤️🔥 #oliviadean #thebrits ♬ I've Seen It - Olivia Dean
Dean, 27, took home Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for The Art of Loving, Pop Act, and Song of the Year for Rein Me In, her collaboration with Sam Fender. Accepting the album prize, she became visibly emotional, thanking her collaborators and reflecting on the record’s themes of vulnerability and connection. In the winners’ room, she posed with all four awards — a defining moment in what has already been a breakthrough few years for the London-born singer.
Fender himself picked up Best Alternative/Rock Act, using his speech to praise Dean and saying she had made Rein Me In her own.
But while Dean dominated the headlines for her wins, the broadcast itself drew attention for what it left out.
ITV edited several remarks from its transmission, including political statements and strong language. The move came just a week after controversy surrounding a live broadcast at the BAFTA Film Awards, suggesting the network was taking no chances.
@skynews
The BBC apologises for a racial slur during the BAFTAs. The racial slur was shouted early on in the ceremony due to an involuntary tic caused by Tourette Syndrome, but was not removed from the BBC iPlayer until lunchtime the following day. #SkyNews
During his opening monologue, host Jack Whitehall joked that the arena was “swarming with celebrities” before turning to a “politicians’ table” gag that included a reference to Peter Mandelson. The line did not make it into ITV’s aired version.
@brits
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Elsewhere, New York band Geese won International Group, but drummer Max Bassin’s acceptance speech was partially censored after he voiced support for Palestine and used an expletive, alongside comments referencing US immigration enforcement.
Later in the night, Scottish singer Jacob Alon, who won the Critics’ Choice Award, was seen holding up a Palestinian keffiyeh in the crowd during an appearance by Sharon Osbourne. Alon had previously drawn attention at the 2025 Mercury Prize for chanting “Free Palestine” during a live performance.
@brits
"ozzy's heart never left England" 🥹 we couldn't be happier that we got to honour the incredible Ozzy Osbourne on home soil with his Lifetime Achievement Award
The ceremony also paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July 2025, aged 76. Sharon was joined on stage by her daughter Kelly Osbourne to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award on his behalf. Sharon delivered an emotional speech honouring her late husband’s legacy, while Kelly punctuated the moment by quipping, “Up the Villa,” referencing Ozzy’s lifelong support for Aston Villa.
However, Kelly later revealed she had received abusive messages about her appearance at the show. Taking to Instagram Stories in the hours after the ceremony, she wrote: “There is a special kind of cruelty in harming someone who is clearly going through something. Kicking me while I’m down, doubting my pain, spreading my struggles as gossip, and turning your back when I need support and love most.”
She continued: “None of it proves strength. It only reveals a profound absence of compassion and character. I’m currently going through the hardest time in my life. I should not even have to defend myself. But I won’t sit here and allow myself to be dehumanized in such a way!”
@billboardar @La Rosalia hizo historia en los Brit Awards 2026 interpretando "Berghain" 🛐✨ #rosalia #lux ♬ Berghain - ROSALÍA & Björk & Yves Tumor
Beyond the controversy, there were plenty of other standout wins. Spanish superstar Rosalía claimed International Artist, while Rosé won International Song of the Year for APT, her collaboration with Bruno Mars.
Irish country-pop star CMAT was nominated for International Artist but ultimately went home empty-handed. However, she may have won the internet. When the camera cut to her following Rosalía’s win, CMAT delivered a dramatically exaggerated reaction — a mix of mock despair and theatrical applause — that quickly went viral across social media, with fans praising her for not taking the loss too seriously.
@brits she's so real for reading the speech off her phone 😭 group of the Year @wolfalicemusic ♬ original sound - BRITs
Elsewhere, Wolf Alice picked up Group of the Year and used their platform to highlight the pressures facing grassroots music venues across the UK, citing closures and job losses that threaten emerging artists.
Lola Young won Breakthrough Artist, Dave claimed Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap Act, while Fred again.., Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax shared the Dance Act award. Sault won R&B Act.
There were also industry honours for Noel Gallagher, named Songwriter of the Year, and Mark Ronson, who received the Outstanding Contribution to Music award. PinkPantheress, real name Victoria Walker, was named Producer of the Year.
@thesun Noel Gallagher was booed at the Brit Awards despite winning a prestigious award. The Oasis rocker was first given a hero’s welcome when he took to the stage. Click on the link above for more. #Brits #BritAwards #NoelGallagher #Oasis ♬ original sound - The Sun
There was also a notably mixed reception for Noel Gallagher, who was booed twice while collecting his Songwriter of the Year award.
The honour followed the monumental Oasis reunion, which saw the Britpop legends play a series of sell-out shows across the UK and internationally.
Taking to the stage at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, the 58-year-old thanked his bandmates — including brother Liam Gallagher — before joking: “They brought those songs to life, without them I’d just be a singer-songwriter and no one gives a s**t about singer-songwriters.”
The comment drew audible boos from parts of the arena. He went on to praise fans for keeping the band’s music alive for 35 years, adding that they had given Oasis “the most extraordinary life.”
However, Gallagher sparked further backlash as he exited the stage with a shout of “Up the f**king Blues!” — a reference to Manchester City F.C. — prompting another wave of boos, likely from supporters of rival teams. The decision to award him Songwriter of the Year had already divided opinion, with some critics noting he had not released new material in the past year.
For all its glitz and celebration, this year’s BRITs will likely be remembered as much for what viewers didn’t hear as what they did.
Between censored speeches, political gestures, emotional tributes and viral reaction shots, the 2026 ceremony proved that live music events remain unpredictable — even when they’re slightly delayed.
