It’s that time of year again – where the crème de la crème of British music flock together for a weird and wonderful night of songs and gongs.
The famous BRIT Awards are back, and while the main aim is to celebrate music from Great Britain and beyond, that’s not the only reason people tune in to watch.
Over the years, viewers have witnessed their fair share of unexpected spectacles, and it’s safe to say that many of these moments have gone down in history.
Fans famously watched the drama unfold through their fingers, sometimes cringing so hard it hurt, in the most memorable and explosive moments in TV history.
The BRITS can simply be described as the gift that keeps on giving, and here are some of the most memorable moments so far.
Madonna’s epic tumble after she trips on her cape
(Image: GETTY)
Yes, this did actually happen.
In one of those time-slowing-down moments, pop icon Madonna fell dramatically backwards down a flight of stairs when the cape that was meant to be torn off by a dancer stayed put on the Queen of Pop’s neck.
The unyielding garment tugged back at the 57-year-old singer’s throat and she fell from a massive height, all while on TV.
Despite the terrifying tumble, the ‘Like A Virgin’ hit-maker carried on like a trooper and finished the number.
Alex Turner leaves fans baffled with strange, drunken rant during acceptance speech
Upon winning the Best British Album award for AM in 2014, the Arctic Monkeys frontman gave a rambling yet inspiring thank you speech, which left fans completely and utterly confused.
He began: “That rock and roll, eh? That rock and roll, it just won’t go away. It might hibernate from time to time, sink back into the swamp. I think the cyclical nature of the universe in which it exists demands that acquiesce to some of its rules…”
He continued: “But it’s always waiting there, just around the corner, ready to make its way back through the sludge and smash through the glass ceiling, looking better than ever. Yeah, that rock and roll, it seems like it’s faded away sometimes, but it will never die. And there’s nothing you can do about it…”
He then did a mic-drop, adding: “You can invoice me for the microphone.”
Adele sticks her middle finger up in a rage after her speech is interrupted
(Image: getty)
2012’s BRIT’s ceremony climaxed when Adele took the stage after scooping one of the most prestigious awards of the night: Best Album.
Unfortunately, Blur were in the wings waiting to perform as part of their Outstanding Contribution To Music accolade and a visibly moved and grateful Adele was hurried along by host James Corden.
The raging songstress responded to the organisers the only way she saw fit – sticking her middle finger up in the air.
Geri Halliwell’s nip spills from her eye-popping gown
(Image: GETTY)
The Spice Girls are undeniably one of the first band’s that springs to mind when it comes to the BRIT awards, especially in relation to their 1997 performance when the Geri wore her iconic Union Jack dress.
After Geri’s garment went on to become one of the the most recognisable symbols of the awards, Ginger Spice made headlines once again a couple of years later when her boob popped out from her dress while accepting the award for Best Album.
As she was helped to the stage by her fellow bandmates while attempting to keep her breasts in check, Geri’s dress got a mind of it’s own once she was on stage and she ended up flashing the entire nation unbeknownst to herself.
Prince bewilders audiences by writing the word ‘slave’ across his face
(Image: GETTY)
Prince’s unforgettable arrival at the 1985 BRITs accompanied by a minder who was three times the size of him, was one of the most outrageous moments in BRITs history.
The ‘Purple Rain’ singer used his opportunity to slam his record company over the release of his latest album.
He changed his name to SQUIGGLE to get out of the contract but that didn’t work, so he went around with SLAVE written on his face.
In his speech, he muttered: “Prince. In concert: perfectly free. On record: slave. Get wild. Peace.”
Robbie Williams challenges Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher to a £100,000 fight
(Image: PA)
Robbie Williams and Liam Gallagher were famously once good pals, that was until Liam’s now estranged brother, Noel called the Take That man a “fat dancer”.
After that, the gloves were off, and the insults were flying in quick.
There was no Twitter, Facebook or Instagram back then, so Robbie took the opportunity to air his grievances and challenge Liam to a fight.
As he was picking up his award for Best Video, the Take That star roared: “Would anybody like to see me fight Liam? Liam: £100,000 of your money, £100,000 of mine… we’ll get in the ring and have a fight.”
“Now are you gonna do it or p***y out you f*****g wimp?” Caroline Aherne, who was presenting the award, spoke for the nation by saying: “I vote for Liam.”
Ant and Dec break a sweat as half-naked model Sadie Pinn cosy up to them on stage
The BRIT Awards 2016 saw the unexpected moment when Ant and Dec were disturbed by the arrival of a half-naked lady wearing a completely see-through catsuit.
The girl in question was model Sadie Pinn, a friend of designer Pam Hogg, who designed the 2016 award trophy.
Despite the fact that Sadie was towering over the duo in a tight embrace, the lads were ever professional and kept broadcasting.
There’s no doubt that viewers were watching at home through their fingers though.
Brandon Block storms the stage during Ronnie Wood’s acceptance speech
(Image: Getty)
There once was a time when the Brits prided itself on being less of an award ceremony, and more three hours of organised chaos.
Back when you could still smoke indoors and buy a pint for the price of a bus ticket, DJ Brandon Block stage-invaded during Ronnie Woods’ speech.
Asked what he was doing on stage by host Davina McCall, a boozed-up Brandon simply roared his name into the microphone, creating one of the most iconic and outrageous moments ever.
Let’s hope there are plenty more iconic moments this year!
