Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.Read more

A delighted Olivia Dean took home the double whammy of Artist and Album of the Year at this year’s Brit Awards, thanks to the success of her 2025 album The Art of Loving.

The 2026 Brit Awards ceremony was held at the Co-Op Live arena in Manchester on Saturday 28 February, with Dean, Lily Allen and Sam Fender among the night’s nominees.

Dean, 26, enjoyed a huge year in 2025 thanks to the success of her second album, The Art of Loving, and singles such as “Man I Need” and “Nice to Each Other”, while also winning the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in January.

The soul-pop singer was up for Song of the Year for two songs: for her single “Man I Need” and also for her collaboration with singer-songwriter Sam Fender, “Rein Me In”, ultimately winning with Fender for “Rein Me In” before taking Artist of the Year.

She won a total of four of the five nominations she had, only missing out on the fifth due to being nominated twice in the Song of the Year category.

Meanwhile, buzzy New York band Geese won International Group. Oasis rocker Noel Gallagher received the Songwriter of the Year award, following the band’s massive reunion tour of 2025. Mark Ronson was honoured with Producer of the Year. Rock band Wolf Alice took home the prize for Best Group.

Sam Fender and Olivia Dean are nominated for their collaboration ‘Rein Me In’

open image in gallery

Sam Fender and Olivia Dean are nominated for their collaboration ‘Rein Me In’ (Getty)

Here are the winners of the 2026 Brit Awards.

Artist of the Year

Dave

Fred Again

JADE

Lily Allen

Little Simz

Lola Young

Olivia Dean – WINNER

PinkPantheress

Sam Fender

Self Esteem

Olivia Dean swept the 2026 Brit Awards

open image in gallery

Olivia Dean swept the 2026 Brit Awards (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Group of the Year

The Last Dinner Party

Pulp

Sleep Token

Wet Leg

Wolf Alice – WINNER

Wolf Alice took home the prize for Group of the Year

open image in gallery

Wolf Alice took home the prize for Group of the Year (AFP via Getty Images)

Album of the Year

Dave – The Boy Who Played the Harp

Lily Allen – West End Girl

Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving – WINNER

Sam Fender – People Watching

Wolf Alice – The Clearing

Olivia Dean swept the Brit Awards after receiving five nominations

open image in gallery

Olivia Dean swept the Brit Awards after receiving five nominations (AFP via Getty Images)

Breakthrough Artist

Barry Can’t Swim

EsDeeKid

Jim Legxacy

Lola Young – WINNER

Sky Newman

Lola Young at the 2026 Brit Awards

open image in gallery

Lola Young at the 2026 Brit Awards (PA Wire)

International Artist

Bad Bunny

Chappell Roan

CMAT

Doechii

Lady Gaga

Rosalia – WINNER

Sabrina Carpenter

Sombr

Taylor Swift

Tyler, the Creator

Rosalia won International Solo Artist at the Brit Awards 2026

open image in gallery

Rosalia won International Solo Artist at the Brit Awards 2026 (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

International Group

Geese – WINNER

Haim

Hunter X

Tame Impala

Turnstile

New York band Geese won their first Brit Award

open image in gallery

New York band Geese won their first Brit Award (Lewis Evans)

Song of the Year (public vote)

Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas – “Blessings”

Chrystal and Notion – “The Days (Notion Remix)”

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande – “Defying Gravity”

Ed Sheeran – “Azizam”

Fred Again, Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax – “Victory Lap”

Lewis Capaldi – “Survive”

Lola Young – “Messy”

Myles Smith – “Nice to Meet You”

Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”

RAYE – “Where is My Husband?”

Sam Fender and Olivia Dean – “Rein Me In” – WINNER

Skye Newman – “Family Matters”

International Song (public vote)

Alex Warren – “Ordinary”

Chappell Roan – “Pink Pony Club”

Disco Lines x Tinashe – “No Broke Boys”

GG Perez – “Sailor Song”

Gracie Abrams – “That’s So True”

Hunter X – “Golden”

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile”

Raven Lenni – “Love Me Not”

Rose x Bruno Mars – “APT” – WINNER

Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”

Sombr – “Undressed”

Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”

Bruno Mars and Rose won for their collaboration ‘APT’

open image in gallery

Bruno Mars and Rose won for their collaboration ‘APT’ (CBS)

Alternative/Rock

Blood Orange

Lola Young

Sam Fender – WINNER

Wet Leg

Wolf Alice

Sam Fender won for Alternative/Rock Act

open image in gallery

Sam Fender won for Alternative/Rock Act (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Pop

JADE

Lily Allen

Lola Young

Olivia Dean – WINNER

RAYE

Olivia Dean won Artist of the Year at the 2026 Brit Awards

open image in gallery

Olivia Dean won Artist of the Year at the 2026 Brit Awards (AFP via Getty Images)

Hip-hop/Grime/Rap

Central Cee

Dave – WINNER

Jim Legxacy

Little Simz

Loyle Carner

R&B

Jim Legxacy

KWN

Mabel

Sasha Keeble

Sault – WINNER

Dance Act

Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas

FKA twigs

Fred Again, Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax – WINNER

PinkPantheress

Sammy Virgi

Critics Choice

Jacob Alon