Noel Gallagher Honours Brother Liam in Emotional BRIT Awards Acceptance Speech
Noel Gallagher, the iconic Oasis rocker, made headlines at the 2026 BRIT Awards by publicly praising his brother Liam during his acceptance of the Songwriter of the Year award. The ceremony, held for the first time at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena, saw the 58-year-old musician acknowledge his sibling's crucial role in their shared musical legacy, despite their famously turbulent relationship since Oasis split in 2009.
A Night of Recognition and Reunion
Introduced by Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie, Noel took to the stage before a packed crowd to accept the prestigious gong. In his speech, he bluntly stated, '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.' He credited Liam's distinctive voice and presence as essential to the songs that defined an era of British rock, highlighting the importance of their recent reunion tour.
The award was somewhat controversial, as Noel admitted he hasn't written a new song in two years. Speaking on talkSPORT, he defended the honour, noting, 'I haven't written a song for two years. I'm not sure how I've got away with that one, but I'll take it.' He attributed the win to record sales, with Oasis selling a million records last year, and challenged any critics to 'have it out on the red carpet.' Noel also suggested the location played a role, saying, 'If I am honest I think they just were desperate to get someone from Oasis up there 'cos it is in Manchester.'
Other Highlights from the 2026 BRIT Awards
The 46th edition of the BRIT Awards featured numerous standout moments. Olivia Dean swept the floor, winning four awards including Best Artist, Best Album, Best Song, and Best Pop Act. Her success marked a historic achievement, as she became the first woman since Adele in 2021 to claim the UK's No 1 single and album in the same week.
Sharon Osbourne, supported by her daughter Kelly, accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of her late husband Ozzy Osbourne. In a heartfelt speech, she described him as 'a true artist' and 'the most humble ego-maniac you could ever meet.' The ceremony closed with an all-star rock tribute performance of 'No More Tears,' curated by Sharon and featuring Robbie Williams.
Other winners included Lola Young for Breakthrough Artist, Dave in the Hip Hop category, and Sam Fender for Best Rock. The event, presented by comedian Jack Whitehall, marked a shift from London to Manchester, with plans to rotate locations across the UK in future years.
