Jack Whitehall Shines as Host of BRIT Awards 2026
Jack Whitehall, the comedian known for his sharp wit and engaging personality, took on the role of host for this year’s BRIT Awards. The event was held at the Co-op Arena in Manchester, marking a historic first for the ceremony. Whitehall, 37, delivered a performance that had the audience laughing from the very beginning.
From the moment he stepped onto the stage, Whitehall wasted no time in delivering his trademark humor. He began by making a joke about the Bafta Film Awards, referencing the controversy surrounding the bleeping of swear words during the event. He quipped, “We’ve got the best in the business here tonight [for bleeping swear words], we’ve got the guy from the BAFTAs.” This comment was a nod to John Davidson, who was heard shouting during the Baftas, where Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for special visual effects.
Whitehall also made fun of Harry Styles’ performance, comparing it to sitting on a washing machine for three minutes. His jokes were met with loud laughter from the crowd. As Robbie Williams took the stage to present the Song of the Year award, Whitehall couldn’t resist a jab at the singer’s hairline, saying he had “more comebacks than his hairline.”
The comedian also addressed the BRITs moving to Manchester for the first time in its history. He joked about the city’s drug dealers having a great year before Noel Gallagher, 58, burst out in laughter. The audience was clearly entertained, with many taking to social media to praise Whitehall’s hosting skills.
A Night of Laughter and Recognition
Viewers have been left in stitches by Whitehall’s humor, with one fan joking, “And The BRIT Award 2026 goes to……Jack Whitehall.” Others praised his ability to roast award shows, with one commenting, “Jack Whitehall absolutely nailing the hosting with that perfectly timed dig at the BAFTA bleeping drama.”
Whitehall also took a few jabs at political figures, including Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, mocking the fact that he was blocked from running as an MP for the Labour party. He joked, “The only party Andy is allowed into these days.”
During the ceremony, Shaun Ryder and Bez presented the Group of the Year award, but even they weren’t safe from Whitehall’s humor. He joked that they looked like “aging like service station flowers” and assumed they were part of the “in memoriam” VT.
Notable Nominations and Performances
This year’s BRIT Awards saw a shift towards inclusivity, with 70 percent of this year’s nominations being female or non-binary. Lola Young and Olivia Dean lead the nominations with five each, closely followed by Lily Allen, who has been recognized in three categories for her critically acclaimed fifth album, West End Girl.
Lily Allen’s album chronicles the collapse of her marriage to Stranger Things star David Harbour and his alleged infidelities while they were together. She will go up against Young and Dean for Artist Of The Year, while also competing for Album Of The Year and Pop Act.
Lola, 24, is also up for Breakthrough Artist and Alternative/Rock Act, but it is unknown if she will attend the ceremony. Following the announcement, she said, “Five BRIT nominations, how is this even possible? I’ve had this dream a thousand times, so I’m slightly convinced that my alarm clock is about to wake me up.”
Olivia, 26, became the first woman to claim the UK’s No 1 single and album in the same week since Adele in 2021, with her song Man I Need and album The Art Of Loving, both released in 2025. She has been nominated in five categories and will be performing at the ceremony.
A Special Night for Jack Whitehall
Comedian Jack Whitehall returns to present the ceremony for the sixth time, having previously hosted the event in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2025. He stepped away in 2022 when Mo Gilligan took over for two ceremonies, and Maya Jama, Roman Kemp, and Clara Amfo co-hosted the event together in 2024.
It will be his first time presenting in Manchester, and Whitehall, 38, credits the city as shaping his early comedy career after he studied at The University Of Manchester. In a recent clip shared to social media titled Ode to Manchester, the TV personality showed off everything from the Curry Mile to Coronation Street.
He said, “I am so excited to be coming back for this very special BRIT Awards in Manchester, a place that is so important to me. The city I started my comedy career in, it feels like a real full circle moment returning to host this historic night at the Co-op Live, a venue that is only a stone’s throw away from the comedy club I did my first 10 minute set in all those years ago.”
Honoring Ozzy Osbourne
The late Ozzy Osbourne will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The frontman of Black Sabbath, who passed away in July last year, will be celebrated for his inimitable impact and influence on music worldwide.
The awards will be closed out by an all-star rock tribute performance led by Robbie Williams, who was asked to be a part of the show personally by Ozzy’s wife Sharon as a long-standing fan of the music, and friend of the Osbourne family. Curated by Sharon herself, it will feature a special arrangement of No More Tears – the title track from Ozzy’s multi-million selling 1991 album of the same name.
The segment will boast a phenomenal line up of British and international musical talent, featuring musicians that played as part of Ozzy’s band over the years. Robbie will be joined on stage by Ozzy’s lead guitarist Zakk Wylde as well as Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo and Tommy Clufetos.
