The 10 maddest moments of the BRIT Awards in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The 10 maddest moments of the BRIT Awards in Manchester

Last night, the BRIT Awards came to Manchester for the first time ever, bringing some of the world’s biggest music names to our city.

And, in true Saturday-night-in-Manchester style, there were more than a few mad moments over at the Co-op Live.

This year’s BRIT Awards saw Olivia Dean go home the most-decorated performer of the night, scooping Artist of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, and Pop Act, among others.

There were also performances from Harry Styles, Mark Ronson, Raye, Olivia Dean and Rosalia – with plenty of surprises along the way.

And on a night that was heavily censored on TV, here are 10 moments you might have missed from the BRIT Awards 2026.

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Bez and Shaun being Bez and Shaun

It just wouldn’t be a big Manchester event without Happy Mondays icons Bez and Shaun Ryder picking up a microphone – even if no one knows exactly what will happen next.

With Bez sporting a bright red outfit that was halfway between a tomato and a bell boy, they made it pretty neatly through their presenting section, handing Wolf Alice the Best British Group Award (though Bez did keep interrupting Shaun’s speech to shout ‘MANCHESTER’).

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But then host Jack Whitehall made the mistake of sitting at the table with them, and Paddington Bear, with the ensuing chaos breaking Jack’s professional facade for the first time of the night… you can see the rest for yourself above.

The Hacienda raver in with the BRIT School kids

The Manchester jokes came thick and fast at the BRIT Awards, but a particularly odd moment occurred when Jack Whitehall headed into the pit with the BRIT School students.

He said: “This year, because we’re in Manchester, we wanted to mix it up a bit – by throwing in some proper old-school ravers with the BRIT School kids.

“Yeaaah! There he is, the big man keeping the spirit of the Hacienda alive.

“Don’t look concerned kids, he’s actually the same age as you, he’s just from Preston.”

The ‘stage invasion’ during Sombr’s performance

Halfway through Sombr’s set at the BRIT Awards, there was a moment where chaos broke out – stage invader wrestled off stage by security, set collapsing around him, sparks flying.

And for a brief moment, the audience panicked that the star was in real trouble.

But no. Just a stunt. Not a very good one. Sombr is alive and well.

Angry Ginge and Luke Littler on the same stage as Rosé

In a night that poked non-stop fun at the North, it was refreshing to have an actual Manc have a moment in the spotlight – and our unlikely hero of the night was none other than social media star and King of the Jungle Angry Ginge.

He hopped up on stage with Luke Littler – yes, him off the darts – to present the International Song of the Year award, which went to Blackpink star Rosé and Bruno Mars’ hit APT.

There was just something about seeing one of the world’s biggest pop stars sandwiched between two such utterly British characters that felt a bit crazy.

Rosalía’s Liam Gallagher impression

As well as delivering one of the stand-out performances of the night, BRIT Award-winner Rosalía also delivered one of our favourite moments.

While chatting with Jack Whitehall about her multilingual album Lux, he asked her if she spoke any Manc.

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To which she turned straight to the camera, addressed Liam Gallagher directly, and dropped a ‘Sunsheeeiiiiiine’. Amazing woman.

Surprise Dua Lipa

The moment Dua Lipa made a surprise appearance at the BRIT Awards
The moment Dua Lipa made a surprise appearance at the BRIT Awards

During Mark Ronson’s medley of hits, as part of his Outstanding Contribution to Music award, he pulled out plenty of surprises.

There was Ghostface Killa popping up out of a car parked on stage, a beautiful tribute to Amy Winehouse featuring her original vocals with a live band – and then the glitterball started lowering from the ceiling, with Dua Lipa herself perched on top of it.

It was an especially fun moment for those in the audience at the Co-op Live, who saw the star had been hiding up in the rafters since the last ad break for her moment in the spotlight.

The table of politicians, including Andy Burnham

In amongst all the music heavyweights and pop culture darlings in the Co-op Live, sat in arguably the best seats in the house, was none other than a gaggle of local politicians.

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Andy Burnham, Bev Craig, and Lisa Nandy all sat right beside the stage, with Jack Whitehall joining them for a brief roast.

He said: “Oh my god it’s Andy Burnham! Legend! The only party he’s allowed in to these days.”

Jack added: “And Lisa Nandy! This must be the politician’s table, I wonder who else is here,” before making a joke about Peter Mandelson that was quickly censored on ITV… more on that later.

Surprise Bjork

The first surprise of the night was a big one – none other than Björk.

The seminal Icelandic star made a very rare live appearance with Rosalia during her blistering performance of Berghain.

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It’s already being dubbed the ‘best performance at the BRITs ever’.

James Blunt nonchalantly playing piano with Alex Warren

There was another special guest on stage with this year’s BRIT Award performers, but this one came with remarkably less fanfare than Dua Lipa and Bjork.

Yep, the pianist performing behind Alex Warren was James Blunt, complete with velvet smoking jacket.

The camera barely even zoomed in on him throughout the performance, and in the Co-op Live it was mostly a chorus of people saying ‘… is that James Blunt…?’

The stuff you didn’t hear on TV…

The main difference between being in the room at the BRIT Awards in Manchester and watching it on telly at home is the lack of censoring happening in the venue itself.

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Fans watching at home were baffled at what jokes they were missing out on as ITV slammed the *white noise* button at every swear and political joke. So here are some of the bits you might have missed.

Addressing the table of politicians, Jack Whitehall said: “I wonder who else is here? I think I saw Peter Mandelson on the list – no, sorry, that was another list.” 

On stage, Angry Ginge said: “It is an absolute privilege to see the BRITs in Manchester, because it shows people are realising London’s a sh*thole.”

Geese’s Max Bassin’s acceptance speech was also censored, with him opening with: “Free Palestine, f*ck ICE.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Manchester hosted The BRIT Awards 2026 and proved why it’s the best city on earth

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

It was a monumental night for Manchester as the BRIT Awards 2026 were held at the Co-op Live Arena for the first time.

If you’ve been around Manchester over the past couple of months then there’s no doubt you’ll have been caught up in the BRITS buzz.

First launched in 1977, it’s the first time the awards have been held outside of London and we may be biased, but we reckon it’s the best decision they’ve ever made.

In the lead up to the awards, the city welcomed a whole host of special gigs as part of BRITS Week in aid of War Child.

Images: The Manc Group

I was lucky enough to see the incredibly talented Olivia Dean at the Albert Hall as part of it, whilst DJ Josh Baker took over the Pink Room in YES and The K’s took to the stage at Gorilla.

So it’s safe to say that when the actual award ceremony came around, the city was ready and raring to go.

Kicking off the show was of course Cheshire’s own Harry Styles, performing his return single ‘Aperture’ in a crisp white shirt, tie and work trousers. Not what you’d usually expect Mr Styles to be rocking, but it certainly worked and there was enough screams from the crowd to prove it.

It was an electric start to the ceremony, with everybody on their feet two-stepping to the tune which has dominated the charts over the past couple of weeks.

The entire evening was stuffed to the brim with captivating performances, from Dua Lipa’s surprise entrance on a disco ball to celebrate the achievements of Mark Ronson to James Blunt playing the piano for Alex Warren (yes, really).

A standout moment for me was the magnificent Rosalía who performed ‘Berghain’ in front of a huge string section and vocal choir. And as if that wasn’t enough, she then proceeded to welcome the utter legend that is Björk on stage. Just ridiculous really.

A truly magnetic and vocally impressive performance that proved why, amongst other things, she went on to bag the Brit award for International Artist of the Year that evening.

There was one lady though who completely dominated the night and that, of course, is Olivia Dean.

The woman of the hour scooped up four BRIT awards including Album of the Year and Artist of the Year, and do you know what? We can’t think of anyone more deserving.

A true class act that has put the graft in and deserves her flowers, her performance of global hit ‘Man I Need’ on the night was one we’ll be watching again and again for years to come.

Noel Gallagher was awarded Songwriter of the Year and shocked the masses when he thanked his brother whilst accepting the award, whilst Tim Burgess led a touching tribute to legendary Stone Roses bassist Mani who sadly passed away at the end of last year.

The entire evening felt like a real love letter to Manchester, and whilst Jack Whitehall may have poked fun at us whilst hosting it actually made us even prouder to call this wonderful city our home.

The BRIT Awards it was lovely to have you, and we’ll see you again next year.

Read more: BRITs 2026 – A (completely subjective) ranking of all the performances from worst to best

Featured image – The Manc Group

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