Is Taylor Swift performing at The BRIT awards? Host Jack Whitehall breaks silence on whether Opalite singer could be attending award show in Manchester
Rumours have been rife on social media over the past few weeks that Taylor Swift is heading to Manchester for The BRIT Awards 2026.
The singer-songwriter is riding high following the success of her 12th album The Life Of A Showgirl, which was released in October 2025. Taylor is also celebrating after claiming her sixth number one with her latest single Opalite.
Rumours have spread over the last few weeks that the star, 36, is set to make a surprise appearance at the upcoming BRIT Awards 2026. Taylor is rumoured to be in the UK at the time of the ceremony, with a BRITs-shaped hole in her schedule that may allow her to head to Manchester for the event.
The SUn previously reported that Taylor, who is nominated for International Artist of the Year and Best International Song at the ceremony, could be making an appearance.
A source told the newspaper: “Taylor is hiding out in London at the moment and is scheduled to visit Manchester, which seems like she could be lined up for a surprise appearance at the Brit Awards.
“Taylor was handed the Global Icon Award at the ceremony back in 2021 and has a huge amount of respect for the Brits. She loves it. Brits bosses are trying to keep everything under lock and key, but it feels too much like a coincidence that Taylor is secretly in the UK at the exact time of the Brits.
“The fact her team are all heading home the Monday after the ceremony is fishy. Manchester is an amazing city, but Taylor wouldn’t just be coming to look at the cathedral and the Etihad, would she?”
Comedian and actor Jack Whitehall, who is presenting Saturday’s ceremony, has now broken his silence on the matter - and it’s bad news for Swifties.
When pressed by Hits Radio host Fleur East on whether Taylor will be in attendance, Jack said: “She will not be there. That sounded so unconvincing! But it’s true. She won’t be there.”
The stand-up joked that Taylor would instead be at the Frog & Bucket comedy club in Manchester at the time of the ceremony. He joked: “She doesn’t like the big events. She likes the proper spit and sawdust, keeping it real, comedy club!”
The BRIT Awards will air live at 8.15pm on Saturday, february 28 on ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player. International viewers will be able to tune into the ceremony via a livestream on The BRIT Award’s official YouTube channel.