The BRIT Awards made history on Saturday by hosting the event in Manchester for the very first time, moving away from its traditional London location.

As audiences tuned in to celebrate the top talent in British and international music, the live broadcast also offered plenty of unexpected moments that captured viewers’ attention for entirely different reasons.

This year’s ceremony marked the return of Jack Whitehall as host, who last held the role in 2021. His comedic commentary, touching on topics from Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to the BAFTA controversies, led to some segments being censored by ITV.

Jack wasn’t the only one to experience the broadcaster’s silencing. The artist AngryGinge also faced censorship after he described London in less-than-flattering terms.

Meanwhile, fans were thrilled to see Harry Styles perform live for the first time in three years. The event was also notable for a ‘protester’ being escorted off stage and Noel Gallagher making a rare gesture of acknowledgment towards his brother Liam.

As the 46th edition of The BRITs concludes for 2026, let’s revisit some of the most unforgettable and widely shared moments from this year’s ceremony.

The BRIT Awards descended on Manchester for the first time ever on Saturday as the as the ceremony relocated from London to the North

This year saw Jack Whitehall return as host for the first time since 2021, and as the 46th edition of The BRITs wraps, here’s a look at some of the viral moments at this year’s ceremony

Noel Gallagher praises Liam in a rare sweet comment

Noel Gallagher praised his brother Liam while he accepted the Songwriter of the Year gong at the 2026 BRIT Awards.

Despite their famously turbulent relationship following the split of Oasis in 2009, Noel, 58,  publicly acknowledged Liam, 53, and his role in their shared musical legacy.

He credited his brother’s distinctive voice and presence as a crucial part of the songs that defined an era of British rock.

Noel also thanked the rest of the Roll With It band after their hugely successful reunion last year.

The singer was introduced by Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie, who awarded him the prize in front of the packed crowd.

Noel bluntly said: ‘Yes, Manchester! I’m gonna start by saying I’ve got to thank my brother. And Bonehead, Guigsy and Andy and Gem. Without them I’d just be a singer-songwriter and nobody gives a s*** about singer-songwriters.’

The High Flying Birds frontman was introduced by Pep Guardiola – the manager of his beloved football team Manchester City – and he issued a rallying cry for City that divided the crowd at the Co-Op Live Arena.

Noel added: ‘Up the f****** blues.’

Despite their famously turbulent relationship following the split of Oasis in 2009, Noel Gallagher, 58, publicly acknowledged Liam, 53, and his role in their shared musical legacy

Jack Whitehall is censored 

Bosses forced to censor host Jack Whitehall after he made a joke about former Labour grandee Peter Mandelson.

The disgraced former minister was arrested last week as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office, following allegations he leaked sensitive information to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary.

Jack appeared to make reference to Mandelson while speaking to Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham.

However, the joke didn’t make it past ITV censors as viewers watching the ceremony at home heard bird noise over Jack’s comments.

Jack joked how the BRITs is ‘the only party Andy is allowed into these days’, mocking the fact Sir Keir Starmer is blocking Andy from running as an MP for the Labour party. 

The presenter referenced Mandelson’s name in the so-called Epstein Files, by saying: ‘I think I saw Peter Mandelson on the list, oh no sorry that’s another list!’

Despite being cut from the ITV broadcast, the joke was still shared on the BRIT Awards’ Instagram. 

AngryGinge finds himself muted

Elsewhere, I’m A Celebrity winner AngryGinge got muted when he celebrated the BRITs coming to his hometown. 

He cheekily quipped: ‘It’s so great to see the BRITs in Manchester because people are now realising London is a s***hole!’

Fans watching at home were left confused over the censor as viewers were left ‘unable to hear the punchline.’ 

Bjork’s surprise performance 

Bjork made a surprise appearance during Rosalia’s performance. 

The Icelandic icon, 60, cut a very kooky figure as she was welcomed to the stage by the Spanish songstress, 33, for a rendition of their song Berghain.

Bjork ensured all eyes were on her in a blue sculpted futuristic gown which she wore with an equally dramatic black headpiece.

Her dark locks were worn in buns, with dramatic make-up, while Rosalia opted for a simple white dress as she jumped about the stage during the energetic set. 

Host Jack Whitehall described their performance, which included both opera and techno as  a mix of ‘Last Night Of The Proms’ and ‘Pacha in Ibiza’.

Bjork made a surprise appearance during Rosalia’s performance at the 2026 Brit Awards

In the middle of Sombr’s set, a man came on stage, pushing the singer off his podium in front of the stunned crowd

After pushing Sombr, the unidentified man then turned around to reveal a t-shirt that read ‘Sombr is a homewrecker’ which turned out to be a PR stunt to promote his latest single

A protestor invades the stage

A ‘protestor’ was bundled off stage by security during Sombr’s performance at this year’s BRIT Awards. 

During the show, 20-year-old Sombr – whose real name is Shane Boose – performed his single ‘Back to Friends’ in a hot pink suit, leaving the jacket open to expose his bare chest.

However, in the middle of his set, a man came on stage, pushing the singer off his podium in front of the stunned crowd.

The unidentified man then turned around to reveal a t-shirt that read ‘Sombr is a homewrecker’.

The man was quickly dragged off stage by what appeared to be official security for the awards ceremony.

Daily Mail understands the stage invasion was planned and part of Sombr’s performance.

Representatives for Sombr have been approached for comment. 

The stunt was an opportunity to promote his latest single ‘Homewrecker’ to millions of people, which appears to have worked. 

Fans flooded social media following the scenes with a mixed response, as one wrote: ‘ykw give props to Sombr and his team for making it actually seem real lmao’;

‘Was there really any need for Sombr to add this to his staging? it was just messy’; ‘Thankfully, a clever ad for ‘Homewrecker’, his latest single. V clever!’

Harry Styles sent fans wild as he made his first red carpet appearance and much anticipated return to the stage following a three year career break 

Harry Styles first live performance in 3 years  

Harry Styles sent fans wild as he made his first red carpet appearance and much anticipated return to the stage following a three year career break. 

Joined by a huge group of dancers he strutted his stuff energetically in a perfectly choreographed routine, complete with spirit fingers.    

Fans rushed to social media, gushing: ‘He is so back!’: ‘That Harry Styles BRITs performance was GENUINELY incredible we are so back !!!!’: ‘HARRY STYLES ATE SO HARD’: ‘I just love harry styles’: ‘HARRY STYLES IS BAAAAAACK’: ‘

Harry markg the live debut of his new song Aperture, which began with host Jack Whitehall sat in a barbershop in 2023 as he found out the singer would be taking a career break. 

A montage of clips then followed as Jack eagerly awaited Harry’s return before he finally making it to the BRIT Awards just in time for his performance.