BRITs moments that shocked the nation: From Madonna’s epic fall to Adele’s swearing

Sometimes, it is more than the awards grabbing the headlines
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Natasha Sporn17 February 2018
The Weekender

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The hottest date in the British music calendar is nearly upon us as the biggest stars of the music scene descend on the O2 for this year’s BRIT Awards.

On Wednesday, stars including Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa and Little Mix will walk the red carpet ahead of the ceremony hosted by Jack Whitehall.

As with any live broadcast, the ceremony doesn’t always go quite according to plan, with a number of hilarious slip-ups, awkward moments and stage crashers adding a whole lot of fun to proceeding.

These are the moments we secretly all long for, and long may they go down in BRITs history.

From swears to strippers, here are some of the moments that shocked the nation:

Jarvis Cocker invades Michael Jackson’s performance – 1996

Jackson took to the stage after being bestowed with the Artist of a Generation mantel with a rousing performance of Earth Song, which caused enough controversy it itself as the singer made himself look like a Christ-like saviour of poor children.

But the real flashpoint came when Pulp star Jarvis Cocker decided to mount the stage and moon – albeit clothed – both Jackson and the audience.

Performers attempted to can Cocker from the stage but he continued to run about to drive home his protest.

Invasion: Jarvis Cocker stormed the stage to protest during Michael Jackson's performance
Fiona Hanson/PA

Geri Halliwell flashes her boob – 1997

1990’s pop sensations The Spice Girls performed at the event with Ginger Spice, Halliwell (now Horner), taking to the stage in a short Union Jack dress. But the real talking point of the night came later when the Spice Girls raced onto the stage to accept their award.

The red sequin gown Halliwell was wearing decided to grab headlines of its own as she managed to expose her breast to the audience and indeed the nation with a rather awkward wardrobe malfunction.

Robbie Williams challenges Liam Gallagher to a fight – 2000

Rock DJ: Robbie Williams challenged Liam Gallagher in his speech
Fiona Hanson/PA Archive/PA Images

Williams accepted his 2000 gong with a rather unusual acceptance speech, offering Oasis star Liam Gallagher a fight.

While most people opt to just thank their family, friends and maybe their agent, the former Take That man asked: “Would you pay to come and see it? Liam, 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.”

He left the stage shortly after. Can’t think why.

Adele flipping the bird – 2012

After picking up the Best British Album gong at the 2012 ceremony, Adele’s acceptance speech was cut short by host James Corden because Blur were scheduled to perform.

As the London-born singing superstar rushed through her ‘thank yous’ before the axe fell on her, the Grammy award-winner couldn’t resist sticking a cheeky finger up at the producers for cutting her off.

Alex Turner’s soliloquy – 2014

The Arctic Monkeys triumphed at the glittering ceremony and picked up Album of the Year, leading to one of the weirdest acceptance speeches ever heard.

Frontman Turner took the mic and rambled about rock and roll never dying before finally giving up the microphone – in a truly epic moment.

Telling the company to “invoice him for the microphone if needed”, Turner then dropped the sound device off the stage.

Madonna falling backwards down the stairs – 2015

Fall: Madonna was pulled backwards by her caught cape (Toby Melville/Reuters)
Reuters

Queen Madge’s performances are always unforgettable but her 2015 performance of Living for Love at the BRITs is one that will stick long in the minds of everyone.

As Madonna attempted to make her away down the stage, her own cape conspired against her pretty hard causing her to fall backwards down several steps after the attire got caught up somehow.

Ever the professional, the star picked herself up, brushed herself down and carried on owning the stage.

Adele swears again – 2016

Four years later, during her Global Success Award acceptance speech, Adele was overcome with emotion. So much so that she accidentally let the ‘F-word’ slip.

However, the real shocker was ITV had a bit of a mare with the censoring and managed to bleep out before and after the naughty word slipping out….but broadcasted the swear word itself. Oops.

“I bet you’re f****** bored of me anyway,” the Rolling In The Deep singer blurted out, as Ant and Dec squeaked out an apology.

Katy Perry’s backing dancer falls off the stage – 2017

Eagle-eyed viewers of last year’s BRITs were left shocked and hysterical after Katy Perry’s backing, um, house fell off the stage during her performance of Chained To The Rhythm, with Skip Marley.

The Kissed A Girl singer and Bob Marley’s grandson played out song their politically-charged song with lookalikes of Donald Trump and Theresa May live on ITV.

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