Sian Welby puts on a leggy display in a corset dress while Ferne McCann turns heads in a strapless black gown as the stars hit the BRITs red carpet

Stars of the showbiz world hit the red carpet on Saturday as the BRITS came to Manchester for the first time. 

Sian Welby and Ferne McCann were amongst the earliest arrivals at the city's Co-op Live, which comes two years after the £365million venue opened its doors.

The Capital radio host Sian, 39, put on a leggy display in a rust coloured mini dress which featured a strapless corset bodice and ruffled skirt. 

Adding inches to her frame with a pair of platform champagne coloured heels, the presenter beamed as she accessorised with a chunky pearl necklace. 

Former TOWIE star Ferne wowed in a figure-hugging black strapless dress with gold detailing and black mesh gloves. 

Fleur East, meanwhile, opted for a brown satin co-ord with white collar and sleeve detailing. 

Showcasing her cleavage in the top, the singer paired the look with sparkly silver platform heels. 

Ashley Roberts put on a daring display in an electric blue chiffon gown which featured a thigh-high slit and a cut out section just below the bust. 

GK Barry was dressed to impress in a shimmering black gown which was adorned with floral detailing. 

Love Island stars were also in attendance. Molly Marsh channelled her inner Kylie Minogue in a hooded champagne gown, remniscient of the singer's iconic look from her 2001 Can't Get You Out Of My Head music video. 

 2025 winner Toni Laites opted for a ballerina inspired look, with a pink frilly dress with corset detailing and sheer tights. 

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.

Elsewhere, British rapper Dave has been recognised in three categories: Artist Of The Year, Album Of The Year, and Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act.

The 27-year-old released his third studio album, The Boy Who Played The Harp, in 2025 and has since become the first British rap artist to debut three albums at number one in the UK's official chart.

Raye has been recognised in just one category this year, after scooping a record-breaking six awards last year.

The singer, 28, scooped the first gong presented on the night, Song of the Year for her hit Escapism ft 070 Shake, shortly before also taking home the R&B Act gong and Best New Artist. 

She currently holds the record for the most BRIT Awards won at a single ceremony, a record which previously stood at four, jointly held by Blur in 1995, Adele in 2016, and Harry Styles in 2023. 

Raye has also been announced as the final act to perform at this year's BRIT Awards.

The singer, whose real name is Rachel Keen, will take to the stage during the star-studded show. 

Speaking ahead of her performance, Raye said: 'We are so grateful to the BRIT Awards for having us back on their stage. Me and the band are very excited. Lots of love, Raye.' 

British icons Pulp have received their first nomination for Group of the Year since 1996.

Hollywood is also well represented in this year's nominations, as Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters group HUNTR/X are nominated for International Song of the Year with Golden, and are shortlisted for International Group.

Meanwhile, Cynthia Erivo has secured her first nomination with her rendition of Wicked's Defying Gravity in contention for Song of the Year with Mastercard.

Other international stars up for awards include Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga and Chappell Roan.

The BRIT Awards have been held annually at London's O2 Arena since 2011, but the Daily Mail revealed that the annual showpiece, regarded as the biggest night in British music, will be held in Manchester this year and is likely to move around the UK in different locations for the foreseeable future.

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.'

He added: 'Hopefully I get a few more laughs than I did that night. I cannot wait.'

The late Ozzy Osbourne will be honoured 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 which will be 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.

As well as being one of the most influential music figureheads and rock icons of all time, Ozzy hosted The BRIT Awards in 2008 along with his family Sharon, Kelly and Jack.

Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK said: 'Ozzy Osbourne has been a mighty force in modern music. 

'Possessing an unmistakable voice and unique presence, he reshaped the sound and spirit of rock, inspiring generations of artists who followed.

'This Lifetime Achievement Award recognises a remarkable legacy built on originality and enduring influence, that continues to connect with fans worldwide.'

Ozzy passed away aged 76 at his Buckinghamshire home on July 22 after suffering an 'acute myocardial infarction' and 'out of hospital cardiac arrest'.

The 2026 event will be the first of three years under the stewardship of Sony Music UK, who spearheaded the move to Manchester.

Past venues include Earl's Court, the London Arena, Alexandra Palace, Hammersmith Apollo, the Dominion Theatre, the Royal Albert Hall, the Grosvenor Hotel and its original location, Wembley Conference Centre.

But the move away from the capital signals another new era in the ceremony's history, arguably the most seismic.

A source told the Daily Mail: 'It's officially the end of an era. The BRIT Awards has been hosted in London since the ceremony first took place in 1977 and now for the first time ever, it will be held outside of the capital.

'Obviously, it's going to come as sad news to artists and talent who are London-based but there's a feeling within the music industry that these shows don't always need to be held at the same venues, year after year.

'The BRITs is the biggest night in the British music calendar and now it will be shared with a new audience, as fans from Manchester and the surrounding areas are more likely to attend.

'In recent years, there has been a general appetite for the ceremony to move, as with the The Mercury Prize and The MOBO Awards and now for the first time the music scene won't be as London-centric, both for the nominees and fans.'

Jason Iley MBE, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music UK & Ireland said: 'This is a very exciting time for The BRIT Awards. Moving to Manchester, the home of some of the most iconic and defining artists of our lifetime, will invigorate the show and build on the BRITs legacy of celebrating and reinvesting in world-class music. 

'Hosting the show in Manchester, with its vibrant cultural history, perfectly captures the spirit and energy of the BRIT Awards. I can't wait to see the show at the amazing state-of-the art Co-op Live venue.'

Meanwhile Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said: 'For The BRIT Awards to move out of London is a massive coup for Greater Manchester. 

'After 48 years, it is great that this prestigious global event is about to arrive in the UK capital of music and culture.'

He added: 'Greater Manchester has an unparalleled music heritage known around the world, and this summer will play host to some of the biggest gigs on the planet. 

'That was only made possible by our strong commitment to new talent and giving emerging artists the opportunities to make their name.

'We thank our friends at the BPI for choosing Manchester and we will pull out all the stops to show they made the right decision. 

'Celebrating the BRIT Awards right here in the home of 24 hour party people is the next chapter in its story and you can be sure that we will help them do it in style.'