Brit Awards 2026: Comedian Jack Whitehall's most controversial jokes of the evening
The Brit Awards is no stranger to controversial moments and so it came as no surprise that some of Jack Whitehall’s jokes from this year’s ceremony raised the odd eyebrow - here are his most talked about gags.
Comedian and actor Jack Whitehall took no prisoners as he hosted the Brit Awards - with the likes of Lord Peter Mandelson, Andy Burnham and Oasis taking shots from the stage.
In his sixth appearance helming the ceremony Whitehall caused some gasps among the celebrity and industry audience at the Co-op Arena in Manchester with a string of off-colour remarks which courted some controversial current events.
Here are some of the most funny and memorable gags from the host.
Jack Whitehall takes aim at Manchester
To kick off the awards show, the comedian made a string of gags about the ceremony being held in Manchester for the first time in its 50 years. He said: “The Brit Awards has done what anyone in their 40s does, moved out of London.”
Referencing the venue, Manchester Co-Op Live arena, which has a name similar to the Co-Operative supermarket, he joked: “As a Waitrose man, this is my first ever time in a Co-op.”
The comedian also spoke about Britpop group Oasis, who were formed in Manchester in the 1990s and are comprised of once-feuding brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, who reunited last summer after a 15-year split. He said: “Oasis reforming, and the Brits moving here. It really has been a remarkable year for Manchester’s drug dealers.”
Jack Whitehall digs at Bafta controversy
As the ceremony got under way, Whitehall cracked a joke about the controversy at the Bafta film awards last Sunday, and the fact a racial slur was not edited out of the broadcast. After Sam Fender and Olivia Dean collected the first award of the night, Whitehall warned that the ceremony could get a bit “raucous” but reassured viewers there was someone operating the bleep button.
He joked: “It’s the guy who did the Baftas, he’s the best in the business. Nothing gets past him.”
The incident, which happened last Sunday, caused a stir after campaigner John Davidson shouted the racial slur as Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for special visual effects during the ceremony. Davidson, whose Tourette syndrome caused him to involuntarily shout out the word, has since said he is “deeply mortified” by the incident.
Jack Whitehall Peter Mandelson joke
Whitehall also cracked a joke about Lord Peter Mandelson, which was removed from ITV’s coverage of the ceremony. He said: “I’m down here, guys, at the tables, I’m in and amongst it, the Brit Awards is absolutely swarming with celebrities tonight.
“I think I saw Calvin Harris over there, who else have we got? Oh my God, it’s Andy Burnham, yes, legend, the only party he’s allowed into these days. And Lisa Nandy, this must be the politicians’ table, I wonder who else is here. I think that I saw Peter Mandelson on the guest list.”
Whitehall’s joke references Lord Mandelson, who was arrested earlier this month for misconduct in public office. The former Labour minister has been accused of passing sensitive information onto paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary.
Jack Whitehall Victoria Beckham joke
Ahead of musician Mark Ronson’s performance during the ceremony, Whitehall made a jab at Lady Victoria Beckham. The Spice Girl and fashion designer hit the headlines since the start of the year after her eldest son Brooklyn claimed in a post on Instagram that his mother “hijacked” his first dance with his wife at his wedding and danced “inappropriately” on him.
Referencing this, Whitehall said: “It’s now time for a very special performance from a musical genius whose fingerprints have been over practically every hit album of the past two decades.”
He added: “Manchester, prepare to throw shapes like you’re Victoria Beckham during a first dance – it’s Mark Ronson.”