Noel Gallagher Honoured at BRIT Awards with Family by His Side
Noel Gallagher, the iconic Oasis rocker, celebrated his BRIT Award win for Songwriter of the Year surrounded by his closest family members at the star-studded ceremony in Manchester. The 58-year-old musician was joined by his daughter Anaïs, sons Sonny and Donovan, and nephew Gene at the Co-op Live arena on Saturday night, marking a heartfelt family occasion.
Family Festivities at the Afterparty
Following the awards, the Gallagher clan let their hair down at the exclusive Sony Music afterparty held at Soho House Manchester. Anaïs, 25, shared by Noel with his ex-wife Meg Mathews, was seen dancing energetically in a black and white polka dot shirt, while her boyfriend, Welsh actor Callum Scott Howells, 26, joined the celebrations. Anaïs took to her Instagram Stories to express pride in her father, resharing a clip of his award moment with the caption: 'Wait he's THE coolest'. She also posted a video of her half-brothers Donovan, 17, and Sonny, 14, from Noel's marriage to ex-wife Sara MacDonald, humorously tagging it 'Gallaghers @ the Brits'.
Noel's Emotional Acceptance Speech
During the ceremony, Noel accepted the Songwriter of the Year gong with a speech that highlighted his improved relationship with brother Liam, 53. Introduced by Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie, Noel 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.' This acknowledgment of Liam's distinctive voice and the band's contributions symbolised a significant thaw in their once-warring dynamic, following their recent Oasis reunion tour.
Controversy and Confidence
The award sparked some controversy as Noel admitted he hasn't written a new song in two years. Speaking on talkSPORT, he explained: '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 strong record sales, noting Oasis sold a million records last year, and challenged any critics to 'have it out on the red carpet'. Noel also suggested the BRITs' move to Manchester 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.'
Highlights from the 2026 BRIT Awards
The 46th BRIT Awards, held for the first time at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena, featured numerous standout moments. Olivia Dean swept the floor, winning four awards including Best Artist and Best Album. Other winners included Dave for Hip Hop, Fred Again for Dance, and Sam Fender for Best Rock. Sharon Osbourne accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award for her late husband Ozzy, with a tribute performance by Robbie Williams and former band members. The ceremony, hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall, marked a historic shift from London, aiming to broaden its audience across the UK.
List of Key Winners
- Artist of the Year: Olivia Dean
- Group of the Year: Wolf Alice
- Song of the Year: Sam Fender with Olivia Dean – Rein Me In
- International Song of the Year: Rosé and Bruno Mars – APT
- Songwriter of the Year: Noel Gallagher
- Outstanding Contribution to Music: Mark Ronson
- International Artist of the Year: ROSALIA
- Breakthrough Artist: Lola Young
- International Group of the Year: Geese
- Mastercard Album of the Year: Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
This year's BRIT Awards not only celebrated musical achievements but also underscored the enduring legacy of artists like Noel Gallagher, whose family-centric celebration added a personal touch to the glamorous event.
