Brit awards 2026: Olivia Dean scoops four awards, Harry Styles opens show with new single Aperture, winners and performances

Harry Styles and Olivia Dean at the Brit Awards 2026
Harry Styles and Olivia Dean at the Brit Awards 2026

The Brit awards was hosted in Manchester at the Co-op Live Arena for the first time in history on Saturday, February 28 – with Olivia Dean stealing the show and scooping awards for album of the year, song of the year, artist of the year and best pop act. 

The show was hosted for the sixth year by Jack Whitehall and featured an incredible performance from Harry Styles, who opened the show with his latest single Aperture, which he released on 23 January. 

Olivia Dean won the most awards on the night, showcasing a huge year for her.

After receiving Best New Artist at last month’s Grammy awards, she become the first woman in the history of the UK charts to land a debut number one single and album in the same week.  

She performed Man I Need from her album “The Art of Loving” which won the Brit award for Album of the Year and took to the stage to receive her award for Song of the Year Rein Me In with Sam Fender.

The most important award of the night, The Lifetime Achievement Award, was awarded to the iconic rockstar Ozzy Osbourne who had a huge 56-year career in music.

The award was received by Sharon Osbourne.  

Wolf Alice scooped the award for group of the year, marking this their second win in this category with their first back in 2022.

Noel Gallagher was awarded Songwriter of the Year, after his Oasis tour last year selling out and a 35-year career in the music industry. 

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Winners and Categories 

Outstanding Contribution to Music

Mark Ronson – WINNER

Lifetime Achievement Award

Ozzy Osbourne – WINNER

Producer of the Year

PinkPantheress – WINNER

Songwriter of the Year

Noel Gallagher – WINNER 

Artist of the Year

Olivia Dean – WINNER

Self Esteem

Fred again..

Dave

Lola Young

Sam Fender

Little Simz

PinkPantheress

Lilly Allen

JADE

Song of the Year

Olivia Dean (with Sam Fender) – Rein Me In – WINNER

Lola Young – Messy

Cynthia Erivo (feat. Ariana Grande) – Defying Gravity

Myles Smith – Nice to Meet You

Skye Newman – Family Matters

Calivin Harris and Clementine Douglas – Blessings

Ed Sheeran – Azizam

Lewis Capaldi – Survive

Chrystal and Notion – The Days (Notion Remix)

Fred Again.., Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax – Victory Lap

Raye – Where Is My Husband

Album of the Year

Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving – WINNER

Dave – The Boy Who Played the Harp

Wolf Alice – The Clearing

Lilly Allen – West End Girl

Sam Fender – People Watching

Group of the Year

Wolf Alice – WINNER

Pulp

Wet Leg

The Last Dinner Party

Sleep Token

International Artist of the Year

Rosalia – WINNER

Sombr

Tyler, The Creator

Sabrina Carpenter

Bad Bunny

Chappell Roan

Doechii

Lady Gaga

Taylor Swift

Chappell Roan

International Song of the Year

Rose & Bruno Mars – APT – WINNER 

Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild

Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia

Alex Warren – Ordinary

Gigi Perez – Sailor Song

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die with a Smile

Sombr – Undressed

Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club

Gracie Abrams – That’s So True

Ravyn Lenae – Love Me Not

Huntr/x, Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei Ami – Golden

Disco Lines and Tinashe – No Broke Boys

International Group of the Year

Geese – WINNER

Haim

Turnstile

Tame Impala

Huntr/x, Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei Ami

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Best pop Act

Olivia Dean – WINNER

Raye

Lola Young

Jade

Lily Allen

Best R&B Act

Sault – WINNER

Sasha Keable

Kwn

Jim Legxacy

Mabel

Best Alternative/Rock Act

Sam Fender – WINNER

Wolf Alice

Blood Orange

Wet Leg

Lola Young

Best Hip-Hop/Rap/Grime Act

Dave – WINNER 

Jim Legxacy

Loyle Carner

Central Cee

Little Simz

Breakthrough Artist

Lola Young – WINNER

Skye Newman

Jim Legxacy

EsDeeKid

Barry Can’t Swim

Best Dance Act

Fred Again.., Skepta and PlaquBoyMax – WINNER

Sammy Virji

Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas

PinkPantheress

FKA twigs

Critics Choice

Jacob Alon – WINNER

Sienna Spiro

Rose Gray

The evening featured live performances from various artists, as Alex Warren performed his single Ordinary, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami and EJAE turned the stadium up with Kpop Demon Hunters, Mark Ronson hit the stage mixing decks, showcasing some of the greatest hits in music and a surprise entrance from Dua Lipa.

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Bianca Wright

By Bianca Wright

Bianca Wright is a third year student studying journalism at the University of Lancashire.

She is a fellow mentee of the John Scofield Trust – and has had the opportunity to be supported by highly-qualified journalists who have helped to expand her knowledge within the industry.

Bianca has a passion for storytelling and documentaries - and speaks Spanish having previously lived there for 14 years.

She loves learning about cultures, travelling and exploring the outdoors in her free time.

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