Jack Whitehall once again stepped out onto the BRIT Awards stage, but this time he was presenting the ceremony in Manchester
From his dig at Manchester to his mocking of Victoria Beckham, Jack Whitehall once again stepped out onto the BRIT Awards stage, but this time he was in new territory as the ceremony moved up north for the first time.
Launched in 1977, the BRIT Awards are the premier annual showcase of the UK music industry to celebrate the biggest musical achievements. Originally celebrating the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, they became a regular televised event in 1982.
But Saturday night’s (February 28) awards bash saw a multitude of stars descending on our very own city as Co-Op Live hosted the major music event.
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And while the venue may be new, award-winning comedian, actor and presenter Jack was back on familiar turf for his sixth year hosting the BRITs as a former University of Manchester student.
But it didn’t take him long to comment on his surroundings after five years of presenting the ceremony in London and mid a number of moments being censored for broadcast on ITV and ITVX, here are some of the gags from the host on the star-studded night.
Jack Whitehall was missing Harry Styles
The awards ceremony kicked off with a sketch starring Jack, as he reminisced about missing the former One Direction star. In a montage of clips set to Styles’ number one debut single, Sign Of The Times, Whitehall was seen wondering where the singer was, poking fun at his lengthy break from music.
The former Bad Education actor was then seen looking at a corkboard which read: “Where is Harry?” The singer has kept a low profile since his Love On Tour run of gigs came to an end in 2023, but hit the headlines recently after a string of announcements surrounding the release of his long-awaited new record.
As the sketch continued, Jack was seen growing a beard, sporting long hair and looking dishevelled as he awaited Harry’s return, before wandering to the Manchester Co-Op Live arena where the awards ceremony was held. It ended with the comedian looking longingly at Harry’s dressing room door ahead of his performance which opened the ceremony.
He took aim at the ceremony being held in Manchester
To kick off the awards show, the comedian made a string of gags about the ceremony being held in Manchester for the first time in its almost-50 years. He said: “The Brit Awards has done what anyone in their 40s does, moved out of London.”
Referencing the venue, Manchester Co-Op Live arena, he joked: “As a Waitrose man, this is my first ever time in a Co-op.”
The comedian also spoke about Britpop group Oasis, who were formed in Manchester in the 1990s and are comprised of once-feuding brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, who reunited last summer after a 15-year split. He said: “Oasis reforming, and the Brits moving here. It really has been a remarkable year for Manchester’s drug dealers.”
He made digs at the Bafta controversy
As the ceremony got under way, Jack cracked a joke about the recent controversy at the Bafta film awards and the fact a racial slur was not edited out of the broadcast.
After Sam Fender and Olivia Dean collected the first award of the night, Whitehall warned that the ceremony could get a bit “raucous” but reassured viewers there was someone operating the bleep button. He joked: “It’s the guy who did the Baftas, he’s the best in the business. Nothing gets past him.”
A joke about Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham
Jack also cracked a joke about Lord Peter Mandelson, which was removed from ITV’s coverage of the ceremony. He said: “I’m down here, guys, at the tables, I’m in and amongst it, the Brit Awards is absolutely swarming with celebrities tonight.
“I think I saw Calvin Harris over there, who else have we got? Oh my God, it’s Andy Burnham, yes, legend, the only party he’s allowed into these days. And Lisa Nandy, this must be the politicians’ table, I wonder who else is here…”
Paddington had too much marmalade
Jack made another joke about the Bafta film awards last week – this time referencing Paddington Bear’s appearance at the ceremony. The beloved bear, who was appearing from the production currently being shown in the West End, strutted on the red carpet and presented an award at the Baftas.
Referencing this, the host joked: “We also invited Paddington Bear to give out an award tonight, like he did at the Baftas.” Speaking to Happy Mondays members Shaun Ryder and Mark Berry, professionally known as Bez, the comedian quipped: “Though I think it may have been a mistake putting him on your table this evening. He’s had a little too much marmalade.”
The camera then panned to reveal two bear legs wearing bright red wellington boots hanging out from underneath the table.
And a jab at Lady Victoria Beckham
Ahead of musician Mark Ronson’s performance during the ceremony, Jack made a jab at Lady Victoria Beckham. The Spice Girl and fashion designer hit the headlines since the start of the year after her eldest son Brooklyn claimed in a post on Instagram that his mother “hijacked” his first dance with his wife at his wedding and danced “inappropriately” on him.
Referencing this, Whitehall said: “It’s now time for a very special performance from a musical genius whose fingerprints have been over practically every hit album of the past two decades.” He added: “Manchester, prepare to throw shapes like you’re Victoria Beckham during a first dance – it’s Mark Ronson.”