The Brit Awards 2026 was hosted at Manchester’s Co-op Live, marking the first time the ceremony has taken place outside London since 1977, with Tim Burgess leading tribute to Stone Roses’ Mani
The Brit Awards 2026 has sparked criticism over what some have described as a ‘rushed’ tribute segment. Manchester’s Co-op Live played host to tonight’s BRITs, marking the first occasion the prestigious ceremony has ventured beyond the capital since its inception in 1977.
The evening delivered standout moments, including Olivia Dean dominating the accolades and a handful of censored incidents. Among the night’s highlights was the In Memoriam tribute, which featured The Charlatans icon Tim Burgess paying homage to The Stone Roses’ legendary bassist Mani.
Mancunian music great Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield received a heartfelt remembrance from his mate Tim after his passing last November, when he died peacefully during his sleep at 63, following complications from ‘respiratory issues’ related to a chronic lung condition.
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Tim, 58, took to the stage saying: “I’m here tonight to pay tribute to a good friend of mine. I know he was loved by so many of you here tonight and many more watching on TV. Mani was a kid from a few miles up the road. He changed music and inspired generations ahead of him. These songs he recorded will be his legacy, along with his unforgettable smile and uncontainable enthusiasm.”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
“He was truly one of the phenomenal ones, and they are far and few between. So, I just want you to think about Mani for a moment,” he concluded as the audience erupted in applause. “We can cherish the thought that we got to experience our time and his time together. Let’s take a few moments to remember Mani and some of the people who we lost in the music industry, who we’ve lost in the last year.”
A tribute montage followed, honouring music legends who have recently died, with numerous names flashing across the screen. However, the segment sparked backlash from viewers, who flocked to X to brand it ‘rushed’.
@SufcLee posted: “That in memoriam was bit awful. seemed a bit rushed and I assumed it was building to something that never happened #BRITs #Brits2026.@karendiamond1 concurred: “That was the most rushed and insincere award show “in memorium” segment I’ve seen,” whilst Gloria Gardner added: “Worst memorial ever to musical artists deceased #Brits2026 may have not bothered. Seemed like a fleeting tribute.
Not even a photo of Ozzy, the names flashed by so fast I could not even spot them all. #disrepectful”@bookmadmum shared similar sentiments: “That was the worst memorial part of the Brits I’ve ever seen – if you are going to honour those we have lost do it properly and with dignity and don’t get anyone to introduce it if they can’t string a sentence together #Brits2026.
“@FIOatHeart also commented: “What on gods green earth was that memorial … a couple of clips with a tonn of names popping in and out quick is not a memorial. All them names on there, deserved a million times more of a memorial montage, like they usually have.
Do better. ” @ZODl4C commented: “that was terrible, who thought it was a good idea to do the memorial section like that #Brits2026 #brits #BRITsAwards,” whilst @xmaaisieex remarked: “Pretty weak memorial moment from the #BRITs #BRITsAwards.”
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