BRITs host Jack Whitehall takes swipe at the BAFTAs N-word Tourette's controversy as he jokes about 'bleeping' swearing while opening the ceremony for the sixth time

Jack Whitehall lived up to his reputation as he hosted this year's BRIT Awards live at the Co-op Arena. 

The funnyman, 37, was in top form as he opened the show, wasting no time in dropping his classic one-liners.

Just minutes into to the show, Jack took a swipe at this year's Bafta's Film Awards as he told viewers the BRITs had the 'best in the business' on the bleep button for the show - joking it was the same person running the under-fire ceremony last Sunday. 

He said: 'We've got the best in the business here tonight [for bleeping swear words], we've got the guy from the BAFTAs.' 

Jack was referencing tourette's campaigner John Davidson being heard shouting as black Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for special visual effects during last week's ceremony.

Meanwhile, as Harry Styles left the stage, Jack had the audience in hysterics as he likened watching the Watermelon Sugar singer's performance to sitting on a washing machine for three minutes.

As Robbie Williams took to the stage to present Song of the Year, Jack couldn't resist a swipe, telling the packed arena how the hitmaker has had 'more comebacks than his hairline'.

Jack also addressed the BRITs moving to Manchester for the first time in its history, as well as Oasis reuniting as cameras focused on Noel Gallagher in the arena.

The comedian joked it had been a 'great year for Manchester's drug dealers' before Noel, 58, burst out in laughter. 

Viewers have been left in hysterics at his humour, with one reacting: 'And The BRIT Award 2026 goes to......Jack Whitehall';

'Jack never misses when it comes to roasting award shows'; 'Jack Whitehall absolutely nailing the hosting with that perfectly timed dig at the BAFTA bleeping drama';

'Two seconds on the stage and Jack Whitehall has already been called Manchester the ‘G-Spot of the North’ and declared Noel Gallagher the ‘Manchester final boss'.

The 46th edition of the BRIT Awards launch at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena for the first time tonight.

Since removing gendered categories, such as Best Male and Best Female, the ceremony has faced backlash for the low number of female artists nominated, particularly in 2023 when the Artist Of The Year shortlist was entirely male. 

But 2026 will ring in the changes, 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 comeback queen Lily Allen, who has been recognised in three categories for her critically acclaimed fifth album, West End Girl.

The singer, 40, used the album to chronicle the collapse of her marriage to Stranger Things star David Harbour and his alleged infidelities while they were together.

She will go up against both Young and Dean for Artist Of The Year at the ceremony, 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.   

'Seriously, this means so much to me. I am so grateful for this moment and to be nominated alongside the incredible other nominees.'

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 Award ceremony.

'To go from being a student of The BRIT School in the crowd to being a performer 10 years later is really crazy, and I'm so excited to see everyone in Manchester,' the singer shared in January.'