Brit Awards: Memorable moments from across the years

From pop stars squaring up to each other to political speeches, the Brit Awards annual ceremony has gripped the country for nearly 50 years.

Ahead of 2024’s star-studded event on Saturday, which is being hosted by Maya Jama, Clara Amfo and Roman Kemp at London’s O2 arena, here is a look some of the most memorable moments from previous years.

– Stormzy’s Grenfell tribute

After the Grenfell Tower fire, in which 72 people died, Stormzy performed on stage at the 2018 Brits and took aim at then-prime minister Theresa May.

During the performance, which saw water pour down over him, the grime star said: “Theresa May, where’s that money for Grenfell? What, you thought we forgot about Grenfell?”

And he said of the Government: “You should do some jail time. You should pay some damages.”

– Madonna takes a tumble

The Queen of Pop took a dramatic fall down a set of stairs during her performance in 2015 after a cape she was wearing was pulled by a dancer.

She made a quick recovery to continue singing Living For Love.

– Lewis Capaldi brings a bottle of Buckfast on stage

While collecting his award for song of the year from Sir Tom Jones in 2020, the Scottish singer-songwriter brought a bottle of the caffeinated, alcoholic drink with him.

Clinging to his Brit trophy and Buckfast, originally made by monks at Buckfast Abbey in Devon, he used his speech to pay tribute to his late grandmother.

– James Corden cuts off Adele

Adele was left fuming in 2012 when, under pressure from producers worried about the show overrunning, presenter Corden cut short her acceptance speech for British album of the year.

The British singer flipped a middle finger at the cameras, later saying it was aimed at “the suits at the Brit Awards”. She later got an apology.

– Kate Moss represents David Bowie

Two years before his death in 2016, Bowie’s supermodel friend was his stand-in to collect the best British male award.

Clad in the Kansai Yamamoto rabbit-print jumpsuit Bowie wore in 1972 as alter-ego Ziggy Stardust, Moss was dubbed by presenter Noel Gallagher as his “representative on Earth”.

– Geri Halliwell makes a statement with her Union Jack dress

One of the most memorable moments of ’90s pop culture took place at the Brits.

For the Spice Girls’ 1997 performance of their hit Who Do You Think You Are, Ginger Spice performed in a dress emblazoned with the Union Jack.

The look is often cited as one of the most famous of the decade.

– Liam Gallagher snubs his brother during Oasis award acceptance speech

At the 2010 Brits, Gallagher made a surprise appearance to accept the gong for best album of the past three decades – awarded to Oasis’s (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?

He did not thank his brother and former bandmate, Noel, then gave away the gong and hurled the microphone into the audience.

But it was not his first Brits controversy, as in 2000, Robbie Williams challenged him to a televised boxing match for £100,000.