BRIT Awards most outrageous moments – Adele's middle finger to Madonna's fall

The BRIT Awards 2025 are sure to be full of memorable moments - but will any be more controversial than these?

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The BRIT Awards is notorious for its antics – which unfold in front of the nation as it happens as its broadcasted live every year.

Whether it's swearing, mooning, middle fingers or nudity, the O2 Arena in London is likely to get a shock at some point in the night — and we'll be waiting with bated breath as this year will be no different.

Ahead of the show, which is set to air on ITV1 at 8.30pm tonight, let's take a colourful trip down memory lane into the archives of BRIT Awards gone and past and revisit some of the award ceremony's most controversial moments. The likes of Adele, Madonna, Kanye West and Liam Gallagher (amongst many, many others) have all been at the centre of some controversy or the other over the years.

So without further ado, we bring you our top picks of the times our jaws were left on the floor, from most recent to almost ancient:

Lewis Capaldi on mute (2021) Lewis Capaldi presenting the Album of the Year award at the 2021 BRIT Awards (

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JMEnternational for BRIT Awards/)

Singer Lewis Capaldi presented in 2021 but no one watching at home could hear the endearing Scotsman as his speech had to be muted for TV. Known for *not* censoring himself, Lewis rattled off as he presented the Album of the Year award: “Shut up, shut up, shush, shut up. Hello motherf***ers! Listen guys… I’m f***ing sweating – it’s like a swamp down there, I’m telling you. Sweaty boll***s.”

Stormzy takes on Theresa May (2018) Stormzy performs at the BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena in London (

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WireImage) Stormzy took aim at then-Prime Minister Theresa May (

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PA)

Grime superstar Stormzy slipped in a pointed verse about the Grenfell Tower fire as he took on then Prime Minister Theresa May during his 2018 performance. It went something like: “Yo, Theresa May, where’s the money for Grenfell? What, you thought we just forgot about Grenfell. You’re criminals, and you got the cheek to call us savages? You should do some jail time, you should pay some damages.”

Kanye West puts the censors through hell (2015) Kanye West performs on stage for the BRIT Awards at The O2 Arena in 2015 (

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Redferns via Getty Images)

Kanye West’s 2015 performance at the BRIT’s was a nightmare for the live show’s censors, with almost every single line ending with the N-word. While ITV tried their best to mute the musician’s words at the correct moments, it proved to be an incredible struggle (for them and viewers alike).

Madonna takes a tumble (2015) Madonna falls as she performs on stage for the BRIT Awards 2015 (

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Redferns via Getty Images)

Madonna’s 2015 performance went down in history books while she went down the stage. It turned out the pop legend’s dramatic cape was tied too tightly around her neck and when the time came to rip it off, the singer went tumbling too. It also happened to be her first time performing at the BRITS in 20 years. Legendary behaviour.

Kate Moss’s political stand-in for David Bowie (2014) Kate Moss accepts an award for David Bowie during the 2014 Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London (

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PA)

While David Bowie’s fans didn’t expect him to collect his Best British Male award in person during the 2014 show, they also didn’t expect supermodel Kate Moss to do so on his behalf. The runway legend appeared on stage outfitted in the Kansai Yamamoto rabbit-print jumpsuit that Bowie wore in 1972, and announced she’d been sent by Bowie as “his representative on Earth”.

Kate then read out a short (and political) speech which concluded with a reference to the Scottish independence vote. The speech read out by Kate on behalf of Bowie read: “Lovely. In Japanese myth, the rabbits on my old costume that Kate’s wearing actually live on the moon, Kate comes from Venus and I’m from Mars. So that’s nice!! I’m completely delighted to have a BRIT for being the best male. But I am, aren’t I Kate? I think it’s a great way to end the day. Thank you very, very much. Scotland, please stay with us.”

Adele and her middle finger (2012) Adele flashes her middle finger while accepting her award for Album of the Year during the 2012 BRIT awards (

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PA) James Corden was forced to hurry Adele along (

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Publicity Shot)

Adele blamed her unexpected outburst on 'the suits, not the fans' after she was interrupted by James Corden during her acceptance speech for Best Album at the BRITs due to running behind schedule. A visibly terrified James told her: "I'm so so sorry, I can't believe I'm going to do this..."

As Adele realised she was being rushed by BRIT bosses eager for Blur to take the stage for the finale, she quipped: "Oh alright, I'm sorry and I'll see you this time next year! " She then gave the middle finger to the cameras before making a swift exit.

Sharon Osbourne fumes at drunk Vic Reeves (2008) Sharon Osbourne went at Vic Reeves during the 2008 BRIT Awards (

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Getty Images)

Sharon Osbourne and Vic Reeves were tasked with presenting an award together on stage during the 2008 ceremony.

However, Sharon fumed at Vic thinking he was too intoxicated to present properly. She exclaimed furiously: "You're p*****. P*** off you b******! " Reeves later excused the mishap as an autocue error and insisted he was not drunk.

Arctic Monkeys jibe cut from broadcast (2008) The Arctic Monkeys accept the Best British Album Award on stage during the 2008 BRIT Awards (

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Getty Images)

The Arctic Monkeys made quite the statement at the same event, showing up attired in classic English rural hunting gear, complete with a faux duck. Their acceptance speech deteriorated into an explicit rant against the Brits school, prompting broadcasters to cut their segment from the televised event.

Russell Brand causes outrage (2007) Hundreds of complaints were received after Russell Brand hosted the awards show in 2007 (

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PA)

The disgraced comedian's stint as host for the awards sparked outrage, with his scathing antics involving a joke about a British soldier's tragic death by friendly fire, an inappropriate remark on the Queen's anatomy, and Robbie Williams' stint in rehab. ITV1 was inundated with over 300 complaints following the broadcast.

Robbie Williams challenges Liam Gallagher to a fight (2000) Robbie Williams was escorted off stage after his fight proposal (

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Press Association) Robbie challenged Liam to a boxing match (

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Getty Images)

In 2000, as tensions between ex-Take That star Robbie Williams and Oasis reached fever pitch, Robbie used his acceptance speech to challenge singer Liam Gallagher to a fight. Robbie declared: "So, anybody like to see me fight Liam? 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 a ring and we'll have a fight and you can all watch it on TV, what d'you think about that? " He was swiftly escorted off stage.

DJ Brandon Block gatecrashes Ronnie Wood's speech (2000) DJ Brandon Block is escorted from the stage after throwing a glass of water over Ronnie Wood (

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Press Association)

Also in 2000, dance DJ Brandon Block, heavily intoxicated, was tricked by friends into believing he had won an award. He stumbled onto the stage, interrupting Ronnie Wood's speech. When the Rolling Stones legend hurled an insult his way, Block broke free from security and confronted the ageing rocker. Wood responded by throwing a drink in his face.

Chumbawamba star throws ice water at John Precott (1998) John Prescott and wife Pauline at the BRIT Awards in 1998 after Chumbawamba member Danbert Nobacon threw an ice bucket over them (

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Daily Mirror)

Band member Danbert Nobacon of Chumbawamba famously doused then Labour cabinet member John Prescott with a bucket of iced water. The band remained unrepentant, later stating: "If John Prescott has the nerve to turn up at events like the Brit Awards in a vain attempt to make Labour seem cool and trendy, then he deserves all we can throw at him."

Jarvis Cocker's moons during Michael Jackson performance (1996) Michael Jackson performing at the BRIT Awards in 1996 (

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Mirrorpix)

The Pulp singer chose to vent his frustration at Michael Jackson's overblown performance of Earth Song by jumping on stage and pretending to moon the audience as the King of Pop belted out his hit.

Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood hosting fail (1989) Samantha Fox and Mick Fleetwood hosting the BRIT Awards in 1989 (

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Hulton Archive)

The mismatched pairing of the page three model and rock star proved to be the worst hosting performance in Brits history.

The autocue broke down, the pair repeatedly hashed their lines and several guests appearances were mixed up on stage. The live offering of the show was canned as, for the next 18 years, the show was broadcast pre-recorded. Sam Fox later said: "I was only 19 and I had presenting experience, but if they wanted me to be quirky and fun, they should have put me with an experienced presenter.

"When everything started going wrong I just wanted the floor to swallow me up. Mick is a genius, but I'd look to him for help and he'd just look at me with that big vacant face; the lights were on but nobody was home.

"Anyway, I did my best with what I had, and that's all you can do when things go tits up. I'm presenting an award this year, and I know I'm going to have that horrible feeling again. But this time I'm determined to enjoy it."

The 2025 BRIT Awards will air on ITV1 on 1 March from 8:15pm

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