All Brit Award 2026 winners and most controversial moments from Epstein jokes to swearing rants

A series of A-listers arrived in the heart of Manchester to celebrate the past year of music – and the Brit Awards certainly maintained its wild status with plenty of controversial moments

The Brit Awards returned for another year – but this time hosted in Manchester rather than its usual home of London. Despite the location change, the night certainly wasn’t short of controversial moments.

Known for being a rowdy night, host Jack Whitehall pulled out all the stops when engaging with A-listers, comprising of music legends such as Noel Gallagher and Happy Mondays stars, Shaun and Bez.

From Epstein jokes to awkward tributes, the Brits proved – as ever – to be a hit. As for the winners, Olivia Dean swept with several trophies for her contribution over the past year.

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Here is the Daily Star’s list of most controversial moments…

‘Staged’ altercations

During his performance at the Brits, a random man with a t-shirt saying “Sombr is a homewrecker” stormed the stage and pushed Sombr off the platform, leaving him stunned. The star’s performance was disrupted for a brief moment, with onlookers and fans from home left startled.

In the arena, the intruder was removed by security guards and the performance continued.

After some speculation, an insider insisted that the incident “was part of the act” but others in the auditorium and watching at home were not convinced.

A worried fan shared on X: “What on earth, how did that guy get on stage?!! That must have been terrifying for Sombr. This has been a S*** SHOW.”

Since the incident the singer’s rep has revealed to Variety it was all part of the act and pre-planned – but perhaps not how it was originally envisioned.

Robbie Williams ‘ruins’ Ozzy tribute

In a moving segment Robbie Williams performed No More Tears in tribute to Ozzy, who was awarded the Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award for his career which started as the frontman of Black Sabbath.

However, fans weren’t too impressed with the tribute for – as Sharon Osbourne described – the “proud working class Brummie”. One viewer wrote on X: “Robbie Williams’ voice just not working with this at all, ruins a real #Ozzy masterclass!”

Another wrote: “Robbie Williams fronting an Ozzy tribute, who on earth thought that was a good idea.”

One more critic said: “Robbie Williams front lining an Ozzy Osbourne tribute is the equivalent of Paul McCartney front lining a K-pop tribute #brits.”

Kelly Osbourne booed on stage

While she may have been honouring her dad, the Brits audience wasn’t too kind to the daughter of the Black Sabbath legend.

Kelly Osbourne was booed in the auditorium while on stage with mother Sharon for saying “Up The Villa” – a popular chant and rallying cry for fans of the English Premier League club Aston Villa FC.

Her mother, Sharon, laughed and then told Kelly she had warned her this would happen.

‘Failed’ memoriam segment

Each year, the Brit Awards run a segment in the show which homours all the lost musicians over the past year. While it’s usually. amoving affair, many weren’t too happy with the result for 2026.

After the in memoriam segment aired, many viewers were left unhappy as they said it looked messy. “What a horrendous way to do an in memoriam segment,” one wrote on X.

“This #BRITs in memoriam is a bit of a mess, the way the names are scattered around the screen like this,” another posted.

One posted: “Random cutting to ad break!?!”

Gallagher booed

There were boos in the arena when Man City manager Pep Guardiola’s prerecorded tribute to Noel played. He was certianly touched, but the surrounding audience were not.

As he got up on stage, Noel started his speech by thanking his brother – which was met with several cheers contrary to his award announcement.

He then thanked all the fans of Oasis who have supported him and his brother over the years.

However, his speech was bleeped out at the end – and there were more boos in the arena when he said: “Up the f****** Blues!”

Very ‘Angry’ Ginge

As he took to the stage to present the award for International Song of the Year alongside Luke Littler, I’m A Celebrity star Angry Ginge described London as a “s*******”.

The moment was bleeped out on TV – leaving many speculating. But afterwards fans online seemed to crack what the proud Mancunian TV star had uttered. Some laughed, some were not so impressed.

Jack Whitehall calls out the BAFTAs

Jack Whitehall did not hold back during his opening speech and even took aim at the controversy over the Bafta Film Awards and the fact a racial slur was not edited out of the broadcast.

He warned that the ceremony could get a bit “raucous” but reassured viewers there was someone operating the bleep button.

Jack joked: “It’s the guy who did the Baftas, he’s the best in the business.”

More awkward moments

Jack Whitehall’s decided to follow up Harry Styles’ much-anticipated performance with an awkward Brits opening speech that had fans cringing.

The presenter made a joke about most people in their 40s having to move out of London, as the Brits had done.

“As a Waitrose fan, this is my first time in a Co-op,” he said as he referenced the new venue.

Introducing the performers, he quipped about Alex Warren being an “Ed Sheeran from Temu” and there was a dig at Nick Grimshaw, when Mark Ronson was referenced ahead of his Outstanding Contribution award.

Epstein jokes

After speaking to Andy Burnham and Lisa Nandy at their table, Jack Whitehall said: “Are there any more politicians here?”

He then added: “Mandelson was on the list, oh no that’s another list.” The moment was bleeped out on the live broadcast, according to the Mirror, with the TV network seemingly attempting to avoid any controversy.

Earlier this week, Mandelson was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations he had passed on market-sensitive government information to the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The winners in full

Artist of the Year – Olivia Dean

Group of the Year – Wolf Alice

Breakthrough Artist – Lola Young

Song of the Year with Mastercard – Olivia Dean & Sam Fender – Rein Me In

Mastercard Album of the Year – Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving

International Artist of the Year – ROSALIA

International Song of the Year – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – APT

International Group of the Year – Geese

Alternative / Rock Act – Sam Fender

Dance Act – Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax

Hip-Hop / Rap / Grime Act – Dave

Pop Act – Olivia Dean

R&B Act – SAULT

Critics’ Choice – Jacob Alon

Producer of the year – PinkPantheress

Songwriter of the year – Noel Gallagher

Outstanding contribution – Mark Ronson

Lifetime achievement – Ozzy Osbourne

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