The BRIT Awards are around the corner, with the biggest night in UK music taking place on March 1 2025 and set to be broadcast on ITV 1 and ITV X.
As much as we love to see an awards ceremony go out without a hitch, for fear of second hand embarrassment and that awkward feeling something might go wrong, the BRITs themselves have had a history of memorable or controversial moments.
Many will recall when Chumbawumba attacked then Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott with a bucket of water at the 1998 event, or as you’ll discover the cause celebre that occurred between Jarvis Cocker and Michael Jackson at the 1996 ceremony.
We’ve taken a look through the annals of the ceremony to bring what we think are 9 of the most memorable or controversial moments that took place during the live awards ceremony, in the hopes similar situations don’t occur at this year’s ceremony at London’s The O2.
Though secretly, let’s be honest - it’s kind of a little more wild when things do go wrong.
5. Stormzy Calls Out the Government - 2018
In a powerful moment, Stormzy used his Best British Male and Album of the Year wins to criticize then-Prime Minister Theresa May's response to the Grenfell Tower fire. His freestyle called out the government's inaction and struck a chord with viewers, blending music with political activism. | Getty Images
6. Geri Halliwell and 'that' dress - 1997
We could of picked Geri's controversial performance at the 2000 BRITs, but her Union Jack dress and the defining Spice Girls performance in 1997 we thought was the more memorable occasion - at the height of both Girl Power and Cool Britannia. | Redferns
7. Brandon Block - 2000
DJ Brandon Block, mistakenly believing he’d won an award, crashed the stage during Ronnie Wood's presentation. The incident spiralled into a bizarre altercation, with Wood eventually throwing his drink at Block. It’s one of the most surreal moments in BRITs history. | Getty Images
8. Lewis Capaldi - 2020
Lewis Capaldi brought his signature humour to the BRITs, from sipping from a bottle of Buckfast on stage to flipping off the camera in response to tabloid rumours. His casual, relatable demeanour contrasted with the usual glitz of the awards, making him a fan favourite. | Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images