Comedian Jack Whitehall, 37, looked visibly worn out as he checked out of his hotel in Manchester on Sunday morning, following his hosting duties at the 2026 BRIT Awards the previous night. The ceremony, held at the Co-op Live Arena, marked the awards' inaugural year outside of London, with Whitehall helming the event for the sixth time.
A Busy Night of Hosting and Afterparties
After a lively evening of presenting, Whitehall attended the star-studded Sony Music afterparty at Soho House Manchester with his fiancée, model Roxy Horner. The next morning, both appeared slightly worse for wear. Whitehall was wrapped in a padded jacket and jogging bottoms, hiding his face under a baseball cap, while Horner maintained an effortlessly stylish look in circular-patterned jeans, a white T-shirt, and trainers, though she concealed her eyes behind a pair of white retro shades.
Sharp Humour and Controversial Jokes
During the awards, Whitehall was in top form, delivering classic one-liners that targeted various celebrities and events. He humorously referenced the recent BAFTA Film Awards scandal, joking that the BRITs had the "best in the business" on the bleep button, quipping it was the same person from the under-fire BAFTAs ceremony. This nod alluded to the controversy where the BBC failed to censor a racial slur shouted by John Davidson due to his Tourette's syndrome.
Whitehall also addressed the BRITs' move to Manchester, calling the city the "G spot of the North," and joked about the long-awaited Oasis reunion, remarking it had been a "great year for Manchester's drug dealers" as cameras focused on Noel Gallagher, who laughed heartily. Other targets included Harry Styles, whose performance was likened to sitting on a washing machine for three minutes, and Robbie Williams, teased for having "more comebacks than his hairline."
Censored Jokes and Political Digs
One of Whitehall's quips went unheard by TV viewers after ITV censors cut the audio. He mocked former minister Peter Mandelson, arrested recently in a misconduct investigation, joking to Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham that the BRITs was "the only party Andy is allowed into these days," referencing Prime Minister Keir Starmer blocking Burnham from running as an MP. He followed with a veiled allusion to Mandelson's alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein, saying, "I think I saw Peter Mandelson on the list... oh no sorry that's another list!" The joke was replaced with bird noise on air but shared on the BRIT Awards' Instagram.
Major Wins and Performances
Olivia Dean dominated the night, winning four awards: Best Artist, Best Album, Best Song, and Best Pop Act. She became the first woman since Adele in 2021 to claim the UK's No. 1 single and album in the same week. In contrast, Lily Allen, despite chart success with her album "West End Girl," did not win any awards and was absent from the ceremony.
Noel Gallagher received the Songwriter of the Year award, while Sharon Osbourne accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of her late husband, Ozzy Osbourne, with a heartfelt speech. A tribute performance of "No More Tears" featured Robbie Williams and former band members. Other winners included Dave in Hip Hop, Fred Again in Dance, and Sam Fender in Best Rock.
Historic Move to Manchester
The 2026 BRIT Awards marked a significant shift as the first ceremony held outside London since its inception in 1977. Under Sony Music UK's stewardship, the event is set to rotate locations across the UK in coming years, aiming to broaden its audience beyond the capital. Past venues have included Earl's Court and the O2 Arena, but this move signals a new era for the music industry, reducing London-centric focus.
Performances added to the spectacle, with Harry Styles previewing his upcoming album, Raye singing her hits, and international acts like Rosalia taking the stage. The night celebrated both established legends and emerging talents, reinforcing the BRITs as a pivotal event in British music.
