Olivia Dean was crowned the star of the Brit Awards 2026, sweeping four major awards, including Artist of the Year, at the historic first-time ceremony held in Manchester. The 26-year-old singer, known for hits like ‘Man I Need’ and ‘So Easy (To Fall In Love)’, outshone rivals such as Lola Young, Lily Allen, and DAVE to secure the coveted Artist of the Year title. Her success at the Brit Awards followed a similar triumph at this month’s Grammy Awards, where she was named Best New Artist.

Olivia Dean’s Historic Four-Win Night

Dean’s night of glory included victories for Album of the Year and Pop Act, as well as a shared win for Song of the Year with Sam Fender for their collaborative track ‘Rein Me In’. This marked a significant moment in the Brit Awards’ history, as the ceremony took place in Manchester for the first time, celebrating the city’s rich musical heritage.

The event, held at CO-OP Live, saw a star-studded lineup, with Harry Styles opening the show with his new single ‘Aperture’. Dean, RAYE, and Wolf Alice also performed, with the latter winning Group of the Year. Sam Fender claimed the Alternative / Rock category, while Lola Young was named Breakthrough Artist.

International and K-Pop Recognition

Spanish singer Rosalia was honored with the International Artist award, while the British group Geese took home the International Group accolade. A standout moment was the first-ever K-Pop win, with ROSÉ and Bruno Mars receiving the BRIT for their track ‘APT’, a collaboration that has been widely praised across global music scenes.

The ceremony also paid tribute to late music icons, with Ozzy Osbourne receiving a posthumous lifetime achievement award. The award was presented by Robbie Williams, who delivered a tribute celebrating Osbourne’s ‘inimitable impact and influence on music worldwide’. The performance featured a special rendition of Black Sabbath’s 1991 track ‘No More Tears’, arranged by Osbourne’s wife, Sharon Osbourne.

Another poignant moment honored Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, the late bassist of Stones Roses. His memory was honored by Charlatans legend Tim Burgess, who gave an emotional speech in his honor. Mounfield had passed away suddenly in November at the age of 63.

Manchester’s Musical Heritage Celebrated

The Brit Awards 2026 also celebrated Manchester’s musical legacy, with Happy Mondays duo Bez and Shaun Ryder reuniting as guest presenters. The pair, who last performed together at the 1991 Brit Awards, were chosen to bring ‘old-school Manchester energy’ to the event, according to a source.

Noel Gallagher was honored with the Songwriter of the Year award, a recognition of his ‘songwriting that has permeated the fabric of British culture for over 30 years’. His work, both with Oasis and his solo project Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, has left a lasting impact on the British music scene.

Dean and Lola Young led the nominations with five each, followed closely by Sam Fender with four. The ceremony not only celebrated current stars but also honored the legacy of music icons, ensuring that the Brit Awards 2026 will be remembered as a historic and emotional night.