Brit Awards slapped with over 140 Ofcom complaints from angry viewers

Disgruntled Brit Awards fans have taken to Ofcom to complain about the coverage aired on ITV over the weekend

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Dan Laurie Deputy Editor of Screen Time

15:21, 04 Mar 2026Updated 15:27, 04 Mar 2026

[Jack Whitehall]

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Jack Whitehall has hosted the Brit Awards for the past five years(Image: Getty Images)

Brit Awards 2026 has been hit with a series of Ofcom complaints.

The iconic music ceremony is known for controversial moments and risky jokes but some viewers were unhappy with the live show which aired on Saturday (March 1) night.

Broadcasted on ITV1 with a slight time delay from Manchester's Co-Op Arena, fans watching at home were met with a series of static sounds used to censor the show.

This came about whenever bosses deemed a joke or a comment too risky to air and instead edited out what had been said before it went out live.

Viewers werent happy that the show was censored so much and took to Ofcom to complain.

[Jack Whitehall]

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ITV viewers watching at home werent happy that the show was censored so much and took to Ofcom to complain(Image: PA)

A representative for the broadcasting watchdog confirmed that the majority of the 148 complaints were about "elements of acceptance speeches being edited and some related to jokes made by presenter Jack Whitehall".

The comedian has hosted the Brits for five years now and is known for his close to the mark humour.

During the live broadcast, presenter Jack had one of his links bleeped after he spoke to a table of politicians including Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Lisa Nandy.

[Angry Ginge and Luke Littler]

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AngryGinge's foul-mouthed joke about London was muted(Image: PA)

After commenting on the table, he was bleeped as declared: So many politicians! I thought I saw Peter Mandelson on the list. Oh no sorry, that was another list, my bad."

Another muffled out moment came from I'm A Celebrity winner Angry Ginge, real name Morgan Burthwistle, who took to the stage to present an award alongside darts champion Luke Littler.

The Salford native told the audience that he was glad that the Brits had come to Manchester and "people are realising that London is a s**thole", which was also muted from the televised broadcast.

[Noel Gallagher]

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Noel Gallagher also got muted towards the end of his appearance on stage as he was awarded Songwriter of the Year(Image: Getty Images)

Happy Mondays stars Shaun Ryder and Bez also got in trouble when talking to Jack about their famously-hedonistic and drug-fuelled youth, some of which was also cut.

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Also, rocker Noel Gallagher also got muted towards the end of his appearance on stage as he was awarded Songwriter of the Year for his 35-year career with Oasis and the music that has influenced the generations since.

Brit Awards 2026 is available to watch on ITVX

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