By Laura Martin & Saffron Otter
The biggest names in music will descend on London's O2 Arena tonight for the highly-anticipated BRIT Awards.
Huge names in the industry are set to light up the stage, with live performances from talented stars including Dua Lipa and RAYE. The ceremony is also known for its infamous after-parties, which will finally make a comeback tonight following a three-year hiatus.
Sony is taking over an entire hotel in London, and serving 'unlimited' Nobu sushi for guests expected to include Harry and George Ezra, while Kate Moss ' best mate Fat Tony is rumoured to be DJing. But there have been some wild moments during the actual ceremony on stage - from sweary rants to the time viewers were left gasping in shock as Madonna fell from the stage thanks to a wardrobe malfunction.
As the iconic awards returns for its 47th year, The Mirror takes a look back at some eyebrow-raising moments from the must-see event.
Geri Halliwell's boob flash, 1997
Six months after the girl band burst onto the pop scene, Ginger Spice Geri took to the Brits stage in a Union Jack dress that left little to the imagination. But the audience didn’t need much imagination when the redhead changed into a red sequin gown to accept their award… and suffered a wardrobe malfunction on the way to the stage.
Geri Halliwell bursts from a pair of open legs, 2000
Geri Halliwell again made sure she made history with the bonkers stage set up at the 2000 awards ceremony. The Spice Girls member burst out from between two open legs to perform Bag It Up, while writhing all over her lapdancer’s pole. “This is for all the ladies in the house!” she screamed.
Rihanna and Klaxons' banging nu-rave mash-up, 2008
Was that Kween Riri performing with Nu Rave favourites, the Klaxons? Yep, this wasn’t a fever dream, it really happened.
2008 was actually an inspired show as they focused on music mash-ups ( so mid-’00s) which also saw DJ Erol Alkan’s hybrid pumper of Kylie’s Can’t Get You Out Of My Head and New Order’s Blue Monday, while Beth Ditto and Mika (remember him?) duetted to somewhat limited success.
However, Rihanna ’s Umbrella got the culture clash treatment with Klaxons’ Golden Skans and the rest was history. Lasers, neon lights and of course, umbrellas at the ready. Ahhhh, the Indie Sleaze years were the best.
Elton John and Ru Paul lipsync for their lives, 1994
The Brits sometimes stands accused of being old fashioned and out of touch - but they were ahead of the trend way back in 1994 when Elton John invited Mama Ru on stage to lip sync to Don’t Go Breaking My Heart. Shantay, you both stay!
Lady Gaga, it’ll be all-white on the night, 2010
Gaga belts out a slowed-down piano lounge reworking of Telephone - in memory of her friend, Alexander McQueen - all while dressed like an haute-couture high tea doily.
Later, she breaks it all down to some of her more…um…experimental stuff (hello, Artpop era), accompanied by her keytar, while rapping: “I’m a free b***h”. What’s that massive white statue of her doing on stage? Who knows? It’s like we all agreed never to talk about it again.
Chumbawumba and John Precott (1998)
Band member Danbert Nobacon threw a bucket of iced water over then Labour cabinet member John Prescott. The band were unapologetic, later saying: ““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".
Five vs Brian May rock out, 2000
We Will Rock You? More like We Will Shock You when the UK’s budget Backstreet Boys turned up in Matrix-style long leather jackets to perform a Queen track, then badger-loving Brian May - and the remaining Queen members - jump out wielding guitars and drums. Question: what’s in Jay’s rucksack? Hopefully a good deodorant, as all that leather combined with dancing bright lights are a sweaty nightmare.
Liam Gallagher and Peter Kay (2010)
The Oasis frontman made a surprise appearance to accept his award for Best Brits album of the past 30 years and gave a rambling and foul-mouthed acceptance speech. He then threw his microphone into the crowd which caused a 10 minute delay. Host comedian Peter Kay eventually came back on stage and referred to Liam’s actions saying: “What a knobhead.”
Kanye West, man with the golden touch, 2006
For those who miss the old Kanye, straight from the go Kanye; here’s one of Kim Kardashian ’s ex’s best ever performances: the stone cold classic that is Gold Digger (flanked by around a thousand gold models strutting around stage) and Touch The Sky (with his all-female string orchestra). Let’s hope he heeded his own mantra before the wedding of the century: “We want prenup, we want prenup!”
Madonna, capegate, 2015
There were actual audible screams from all in the audience when Madonna stacked it after one minute 11 seconds into her performance of Living For Love. But the seasoned trooper wasn’t about to be taken out by a shawl of fabric, and, ever the professional, just carried the hell on. “No more capes” she later vowed. Probably for the best.