The fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) takes a historic leap forward today after the UK begins nationwide rollout of the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine.
Two hospitals in Greater Manchester – Salford Royal Hospital and Stockport NHS Foundation Trust (Stepping Hill Hospital – are among seven hubs in the North West, and dozens throughout the country, to begin administering the vaccine this week.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has dubbed today’s historic rollout as “V-Day”.
People aged 80 and older, care home workers, and NHS workers who are at higher risk, are among those at the front of the queue to receive the jab after the UK last week became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use outside of clinical trial.
🇬🇧 The #COVID19 vaccination programme is starting in the UK today 🇬🇧
Health services in each nation are vaccinating with the #COVID19Vaccine.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) December 8, 2020
Pfizer and BioNTech reported final trial results showing its vaccine was 95% effective in preventing coronavirus (COVID-19) with no major safety concerns, and studies showed the jab to work in all age groups.
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The UK government is confirmed to have ordered 40 million doses of the vaccine – needing to be refrigerated at -70C (-94F) – which is enough to vaccinate 20 million people, as two doses are required, and there are 800,000 doses in the first batch, meaning 400,000 people will be vaccinated initially.
Margaret Keenan, 90, became the first person in the world to receive the jab as part of a vaccination programme this morning by nurse May Parsons at the Coventry University Hospital at 6.31am.
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She said being the first was “a privilege” and “the best early birthday present I could wish for” as it would mean she could spend time with her family and friends in the New Year “after being on my own for most of the year”.
She thanked Ms Parsons and the NHS staff for looking after her “tremendously”.
“My advice to anyone offered the vaccine is to take it – if I can have it at 90 then you can have it too”.
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Maggie, who turns 91 next week, said, 'I feel so privileged. It’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year.' https://t.co/rTflLt8DWbpic.twitter.com/XuaAtU4JUR
Nurse May Parsons said it was a “huge honour” to be the first in the country to deliver the vaccine to a patient.
She added: “The last few months have been tough for all of us working in the NHS, but now it feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Speaking on the nationwide rollout, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use in the UK marks a momentous step in our fight against COVID-19, but we still have some way to go and everyone needs to keep following the rules to keep the virus under control.”
Professor Stephen Powis – National Medical Director at the NHS – added on Sunday that the start of vaccinations “feels like the beginning of the end”, but warned the campaign will be a “marathon, not a sprint”.
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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The full list of winners from The BRIT Awards 2026 in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Sam Fender, and Dave are among some of the major names who took home awards at the 2026 BRITs.
The BRITs has landed in Manchester for the first time in its illustrious 46-year history tonight, electrifying the capital of the North’s newest – and Europe’s biggest – live entertainment arena, Co-op Live, as part of a two-year deal described as a ‘bold new chapter’ for the legendary event.
Tonight is all about celebrating the best British and international music talent the industry has to offer right now – with major awards of the night being handed out to the albums and songs of the year, and the individual artists and groups of the year.
Awards are also being handed out in music genre-specific categories, with accolades for the best pop acts, alternative / rock acts, and more.
Tied for the most nominations this evening are singers Olivia Dean and Lola Young, with five nominations each to their name.
Other acts with multiple nominations include Sam Fender, Dave, Wolf Alice, Lily Allen, Raye, Little Simz, Jim Legxacy, Taylor Swift, PinkPantheress, Calvin Harris, and plenty more.
On top of the regular roster of categories, a handful of other special ‘legacy’ awards are also to be given to music icons and industry leaders for their contribution to music, both throughout the past year and their entire careers – including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Songwriter of the Year Award.
The list of winners below is being updated live as the ceremony takes place in Manchester this evening – with the respective winners of each category highlighted in bold.
BRITs 2026 – Full list of winners
Here is full list of nominees and winners across all 16 categories at The BRIT Awards 2026, including international and genre-specific categories.
Album of the Year
Sponsored by Mastercard
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Lily Allen – West End Girl
Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
Sam Fender – People Watching
Wolf Alice – The Clearing
Artist of the Year
Dave
Fred again..
JADE
Lily Allen
Little Simz
Lola Young
Olivia Dean
PinkPantheress
Sam Fender
Self Esteem
Group of the Year
The Last Dinner Party
Pulp
Sleep Token
Wet Leg
Wolf Alice
Song of the Year
Sponsored by Mastercard, and voted for by the public exclusively via WhatsApp
These four awards are special category awards, already announced prior to the ceremony taking place, recognising each recipients contribution to the music industry, both in this past year alone and throughout their career.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Ozzy Osbourne
Songwriter of the Year – Noel Gallagher
Producer of the Year – Pink Pantheress
Outstanding Contribution to Music – Mark Ronson
The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard are taking place on Saturday 28 February from Manchester’s Co-op Live, and audiences at home can watch on ITV live or stream later on ITVX.
Comedian and actor Jack Whitehall is returning to presenting duties in 2026 – which is his sixth time hosting the show.
Ozzy Osbourne to be posthumously honoured with BRITs Lifetime Achievement Award
Emily Sergeant
Ozzy Osbourne is set to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 BRITs tomorrow.
The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard has announced that global rock icon Ozzy Osbourne, the celebrated founding member and frontman of Black Sabbath, and pioneering ‘godfather’ of British heavy metal – who sadly passed away last July – will be honoured at this year’s ceremony this weekend (Saturday 28 February).
Ozzy will be honoured with the BRITs Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition and celebration of his ‘inimitable impact and influence’ on music worldwide.
The award will be accepted on Ozzy’s behalf when the BRITs comes to Manchester for the first time ever at Co-op Live.
With over 100 million worldwide album sales achieved over five decades, a legendary catalogue of music – including 19 studio albums, and eight live albums with Black Sabbath, as well as 13 studio albums as a solo artist – Ozzy Osbourne is undoubtedly one of music’s most influential icons of all time.
The many industry accolades awarded to Ozzy across his career include five GRAMMYs, an induction into both the UK Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (both with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist, in separate years), and the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement – and now the BRITs honour is the latest to add to the list.
“Ozzy Osbourne has been a mighty force in modern music,” commented Stacey Tang, who is the Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK.
“Possessing an unmistakable voice and unique presence, he reshaped the sound and spirit of rock, inspiring generations of artists who followed. This Lifetime Achievement Award recognises a remarkable legacy built on originality and enduring influence, that continues to connect with fans worldwide.”
The BRIT Awards are coming to Manchester for the first time in its history in 2026 / Credit: ITV / BRITs / Co-op Live
To celebrate Ozzy’s win, an all-star rock tribute performance – that will close the show on the night – will pay homage to him.
A special arrangement of ‘No More Tears’ – the title track from Ozzy’s multi-million selling 1991 album of the same name – has been curated by Sharon Osbourne.
The performance will boast a phenomenal line up of British and international musical talent, featuring musicians that played as part of Ozzy’s band over the years, and fronted by Robbie Williams, who has been invited personally by Sharon to be part of this special moment.
The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard will take place on Saturday 28 February from Manchester’s Co-op Live, and audiences at home can watch on ITV live or stream later on ITVX.
Comedian and actor Jack Whitehall will return to presenting duties in 2026 – his sixth time hosting the show.
Featured Image – John Matthew Smith (via Wikimedia Commons)
The Manc -
8th December 2020 
