8 chaotic moments proving the Brit Awards is the most scandalous night in music

The Brit Awards never disappoints when it comes to unpredictable moments (Picture: PA)

Awards season is glamorous, star-studded, and often a little bit bonkers, but the much-loved Brit Awards take the crown for the most chaotic ceremony.

The 2024 Brits red carpet was a parade of nearly-nude stars, baby bump-flaunting fits and, randomly, Rob Beckett dressed as a giraffe… but what does 2025 have in store?

Brits night never disappoints, because who could forget 2023 when Sam Smith became the talk of the town in their latex inflatable suit?

Wild outfit choices don’t even touch the sides of the bizarre goings-on at the music awards, however, as the ceremony itself has proven audiences should expect the unexpected.

Everyone remembers where they were when Madonna dramatically fell down a set of stairs or when Lewis Capaldi’s entire speech got bleeped out for the broadcast.

We’re sure host Jack Whitehall is praying he makes it through unscathed tonight, as the comedian returns for his fifth time at the helm.

But, of course, live shows are notoriously unpredictable. So, we’re revisiting the most mind-boggling and shocking moments from the Brit Awards ever.

Icon Sam Smith was unforgettable in their latex outfit in 2023 (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage) Madonna’s cape catastrophe

How could we start with anything other than Madonna’s heartstopping tumble, which we’re sure even Madge would admit was a little iconic.

During her much-hyped performance in 2015, the evening took a shocking turn when not even a minute into her opening song, she fell down the stage steps.

She was just starting to belt her tune Living For Love when her long cape got caught around her neck and she was yanked down the stairs.

Professional that the 66-year-old Material Girl is, she simply picked herself up and continued singing, to the surprise of everyone watching.

Naturally, endless memes about ‘if you’ve had an accident at work’ plagued social media for weeks after.

James Corden interrupts Adele

Speeches being cut short are fairly common in awards shows as recipients ramble on their thanks to everyone in their lives.

However, Adele didn’t take things lying down when James Corden cut her off in 2012 as she introduced Blur for the final performance.

An annoyed Adele showed her disappointment after James Corden cut her off (Picture: Reuters)

Her idol George Michael was right there on stage with her, having shown up to the ceremony for the first time in 17 years, so it’s not surprising Adele was upset about her big moment being spoiled.

Letting everyone know how she felt, Adele flipped her middle finger to the camera as James ushered her off stage.

He later said he would have let her continue, but producers were frantically telling him to stop due to ad break restrictions.

Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood hosting

Few moments are as notoriously disastrous as 1989’s Brit Awards, hosted by Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood.

Widely regarded as an absolute trainwreck, the pairing was just wrong, with awkward moments and uncomfortable silences filling the show.

Everything that could possibly go wrong went wrong – from cues being missed and people turning up onstage when they weren’t supposed to be there.

The duo reached truly unforgettable status as they completely forgot to announce nominees for best newcomer, leaving presenters Ronnie Wood and Bill Wyman looking lost and puzzled.

Lewis Capaldi’s heavily censored speech

Lewis Capaldi had viewers of the 2021 awards in stitches as almost his entire speech was censored by ITV due to profanity.

He presented the final award for best British album, which was given to 2024’s opening act Dua Lipa for Future Nostalgia, but decided to get a little blue.

In true Lewis fashion, he told everyone to ‘shut up’, before declaring: ‘Hello, motherf**kers!’

Lewis Capaldi’s entire speech was censored by ITV (Picture: JMEnternational/JMEnternational for BRIT Awards/Getty Images)

The rest of the speech was a mystery to ITV viewers as the entire thing ended up being bleeped – until social media got involved and revealed his real comments.

‘Listen, guys,’ he urged. ‘I’m f**king sweating. It’s like a swamp down there, I’m telling you. Sweaty b****ks.

‘It’s great to be here tonight, it’s just great to be out of the house, to be honest. It’s been a great year for albums, most of all because I haven’t f**king released one. It’s a total honour to present the award for album – best album. Let’s hope that this year is even bigger and better than ever for British music!’ he said.

‘And let’s also hope that Scotland win at the Euros,’ the Before You Go hitmaker concluded, receiving an audible boo from the crowd.

Jarvis Cocker invades Michael Jackson’s stage

Sad actors, emotional backdrops, Michael Jackson belting out his moving Earth Song on stage – what could go wrong?

This 1996 performance went down in history, not for the Bad singer’s vocals but because Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker decided to storm the stage.

As the song reached its crescendo, the frontman ran on and mooned the crowd before wiggling his bum and rushing off.

He later declared it had been ‘a form of protest at the way Michael Jackson sees himself as some kind of Christlike figure with the power of healing’.

Robbie Williams squares up to Liam Gallagher

Fights and awkward encounters are the bread and butter of any drama-filled awards ceremony, and in 2000, a feud was kicked off that would last two decades.

In an iconic speech, Robbie Williams decided to challenge Oasis’ Liam Gallagher to a fight.

He said: ‘A hundred grand of your money and a hundred grand of my money, we’ll get in the ring, we’ll have a fight and you can all watch it on TV.’

Robbie Williams wasn’t afraid to call out Liam Gallagher (Picture: JM Enternational/REX/Shutterstock)

Reigniting flames of a sparring session in 2019, Robbie added: ‘I think last time in the noughties Liam wanted to go down to an abandoned railway track or something.

‘I don’t want to do that. It’s got to be f**king whistles and bells if it happens… Liam and I would be a wonderful thing.’

‘I’m in good nick. I’ve been boxing and sparring. So let’s just say I’d be more than happy to get in the ring with him,’ he added to GQ Hype Magazine at the time.

Caroline Aherne’s cocaine gag Caroline Aherne was in character presenting the BRIT Award for Best British Single to the Spice Girls (Picture: ITV)

Showcasing her quick wit at the expense of the nominees, comedian Caroline Aherne took a shot at the rumoured drug usage backstage in 1997.

The late star, better known as Mrs Merton, took to the stage and announced: ‘Charlie, wherever you are, can you make yourself known.’

She added: ‘They’re all asking for you backstage …’

‘Charlie’ is a common nickname for cocaine, and the joke managed to slip past censorship to air on ITV’s live show, entering the history books as one of the best and most shocking moments.

Joss Stone’s bizarre accent

Pop icon Joss Stone was born and raised in England, rising to fame in 2003 with her hit album, The Soul Session.

In 2007, she was called on stage to sing and speak as she sent love to Robbie Williams and called out Russell Brand, who hosted that year.

However, it was her strange accent that garnered attention, as she appeared to have adopted an American lilt, leading to fans slating her.

She later hit back at the criticism and said: ‘It’s not really that big a deal is it? I didn’t kill anyone, I wasn’t snorting cocaine and punching paparazzi…

‘I just had a little bit of a twang – Jesus, calm down!’

The Brit Awards 2025 air tonight on ITV and ITVX at 8.15pm, with the show ending at 10:40pm.

This article was first published on March 2, 2024.

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