Olivia Dean was the big winner at the 2026 BRIT Awards, taking home four prizes as ITV edited out several on-air remarks, including a “free Palestine” call and a joke involving Peter Mandelson.
The broadcaster also removed a number of instances of swearing during the ceremony, held at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena and hosted by Jack Whitehall. The approach came a week after controversy around a live broadcast at the BAFTA Film Awards.
During his opening monologue, Whitehall joked that the event was “swarming with celebrities” before turning to a “politicians’ table” gag that included a reference to Mandelson. The line did not air in ITV’s broadcast.
CMAT on the red carpet at the BRIT Awards 2026
New York band Geese won International Group, with drummer Max Bassin’s acceptance speech censored after he voiced support for Palestine and included an expletive, alongside comments referencing US immigration enforcement.
Later, Scottish singer Jacob Alon was seen holding up a Palestinian keffiyeh in the crowd during Sharon Osbourne’s appearance for a Lifetime Achievement Award honouring her late husband Ozzy Osbourne. Alon won the Critics’ Choice Award, having previously drawn attention for chanting “free Palestine” during a live performance at the 2025 Mercury Prize.
Sam Fender and Olivia Dean accepting the award for Song of the Year
Dean won 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 emotional as she thanked those who worked on the record and spoke about its themes of love.
Fender also picked up Best Alternative/Rock Act and thanked Dean for her work on Rein Me In, saying she had made the song her own.
Wolf Alice won Group of the Year and used their speech to highlight the pressures facing grassroots venues in the UK music scene, citing venue closures and job losses.
Noel Gallagher receives the award for Songwriter of the Year from Bobby Gillespie
Elsewhere, RosalÃa won International Artist and Rosé collected International Song of the Year for APT, her collaboration with Bruno Mars. Lola Young won Breakthrough Artist, while Dave won Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap Act. Fred again.., Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax won the Dance Act award, and Sault won R&B Act.
Oasis’s Noel Gallagher was named Songwriter of the Year, with Mark Ronson receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Music award. PinkPantheress, whose real name is Victoria Walker, was named Producer of the Year.
The ceremony also included a tribute performance honouring Osbourne.
Source: Press Association