Olivia Dean and Sam Fender Dominate 2026 BRIT Awards

MANCHESTER — Singer Olivia Dean was the big winner at Saturday’s BRIT Awards, picking up four prizes at Britain’s pop music honors. The awards show, held for the first time outside of London at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, marked a significant shift for the nearly 50-year-classic event .

Dean Sweeps Major Categories

Dean, who alongside singer Lola Young led nominations with five nods each, triumphed in the first award of the night, song of the year, for “Rein Me In,” a collaboration with rocker Sam Fender .

The 26-year-old, known for her soulful voice and music that blends R&B, pop and neo-soul, won pop act, artist of the year and album of the year for her second studio album, “The Art of Loving” . “Making this album has changed my life,” said Dean, who earlier this month won best new artist at the Grammys . “This album is just about love and loving each other in a world that feels lovelessness right now.”

Fender and Other Winners

Fender also won alternative/rock act, continuing his success in the category, having won it in consecutive years and for the third time in five years . “Messy” singer Lola Young won breakthrough artist .

Wolf Alice won group of the year, with singer Ellie Rowsell thanking “all the pubs, clubs and grassroots venues across the country where we quite literally learned to play our instruments and write our songs” .

Special Recognitions

Several winners were announced ahead of the ceremony. Noel Gallagher was named songwriter of the year, and PinkPantheress was crowned producer of the year . At 24, PinkPantheress is the youngest ever and the first woman recipient of the prize.

Ozzy Osbourne, the late frontman of heavy metal band Black Sabbath, was honored with a lifetime achievement award. Sharon Osbourne, his wife, spoke about his authenticity and artistry before a musical tribute performed by Robbie Williams .

International Recognition

Rosalia won international artist of the year, stating, “I would love to share this with all my peers who also make music in Spanish. Let’s preserve celebrating the otherness, let’s keep celebrating different music, different cultures, different languages” .