Brits 2026: Olivia Dean dominates awards, winning album of the year

Olivia Dean has dominated this year’s Brit Awards, winning album of the year, artist of the year, best pop act and song of the year.

Last year, the 26-year-old Brit school graduate became the first British solo female artist to simultaneously top the UK Official Singles and Albums Chart since fellow Brit alumni Adele.

Despite not winning in the publicly voted song of the year category for her song Man I Need, Dean did feature in Sam Fender‘s winning track, Rein Me In – meaning she received recognition in all four categories she was nominated for. She also performed her hit Man I Need.

Following his Mercury Prize win last year, Fender also won best alternative/rock act for the second year running.

Meanwhile, fellow Brit school graduate Lola Young won her first Brit in the breakthrough artist category, praising music as a “safe haven” for many in what she called a “horrifyingly bleak” and “quite frankly, pretty scary” world.

Presented by Jack Whitehall, the show was opened by Harry Styles, along with a gospel choir and stage full of backing dancers, making his live TV performance debut of music from his forthcoming album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.

Rock band Wolf Alice took group of the year – the second time they’ve won the award – using their acceptance speech to urge support for the UK’s small music venues and highlight Britain’s contribution to music.

With Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy in attendance, it was a message that couldn’t fail to reach its desired audience.

Dave took best hip-hop/grime/rap act, while Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax’s took best dance act.

A night filled with performances amid the awards, other artists to sing on the stage were Wolf Alice, Alex Warren, Mark Ronson (with a previously unannounced appearance from Dua Lipa), Rosalia (with a surprise appearance from Icelandic singer Bjork), Sombr, Raye and KPop Demon Hunters stars Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami.

One of the year’s defining releases, APT by Rose and Bruno Mars, took international song of the year – the second category to be voted for by the public. Rose made history, as the Brits first ever K-pop winner.

Best international group went to Brooklyn band Geese, their first Brit award, using their moment in the spotlight to express their anti-ICE sentiments (the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency) as well as saying “free Palestine,” and “RIP Mani” in tribute to late Stone Roses bassist Gary Mounfield, who died last year.

International artist of the year went to Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalia – who urged the audience to keep celebrating “different music, different cultures, different languages”.

The late Ozzy Osbourne was honoured with a lifetime achievement award, accepted by his wife and daughter, Sharon and Kelly Osbourne, to a standing ovation from the audience. Sharon described Ozzy as a “true artist” and “the most humble egomaniac you could ever meet”.

A tribute performance of No More Tears, led by Robbie Williams and featuring Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, closed the show.

Songwriter of the year and producer of the year had been announced ahead of the show, going to Noel Gallagher and Pink Pantheress, respectively. With her win, Pink Pantheress became the youngest person to ever win producer of the year, as well as the first woman.

Mark Ronson, received the outstanding contribution to music award, paying tribute to Amy Winehouse in his speech, and celebrating her in his performance with extracts of Back To Black and Valerie.

Meanwhile, Scottish singer-songwriter Jacob Alon won this year’s Brits critics’ choice award, and while they weren’t given their award during the televised ceremony, former critics choice winner Myles Smith gave them a shout-out on stage.

This year, the Brits were held in Manchester for the first time, in the UK’s largest entertainment arena, the recently opened Co-op Live arena.

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