Stormzy edges out Ed Sheeran to claim first Brit award

The rapper appeared overwhelmed as he accepted his first ever Brit.

Rubbing his face in shock, Stormzy said: “I’m going to try ... firstly, thank God, that’s the reason I’m here, that’s the reason why I’m able to do what I do.

“My mum is somewhere here. I love you mum, thank you.”

American singer Ariana Grande has been forced to pull out of a surprise Brits performance due to illness

Stormzy thanked his team, and added: “I don’t even know how I have managed to achieve this. This is the grace of God.”

Rag’N’Bone Man – the headline act at Edinburgh’s recent Hogmanay celebrations – was announced as the winner of the British single award for Human.

Kendrick Lamar won the international male solo artist prize – the hip hop star’s first Brit Award.

Dua Lipa paid tribute to the power of women as she picked up the Brit award for British female solo artist.

The singer-songwriter, who is the first female in the history of the Brits to be nominated for five awards, picked up the first gong of the night.

The 22-year-old was one of the first to arrive on the red carpet before the ceremony and carried a white rose in support of victims of sexual harassment and assault.

The star paid tribute to women who had been on the Brit Awards stage before her as she collected her prize from pop princess Kylie Minogue and Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown.

After thanking her record label, her crew, her family, friends and fans, Lipa thanked “every single female that has been on this stage before me, that has given girls like me - not just girls in the music industry - but girls in society, a place to be inspired by, to look up and have allowed us to dream this big”.

Ariana Grande had earlier been forced to pull out of a surprise Manchester Arena bombing tribute performance at the Brit Awards due to illness.

The American pop star was due to take to the stage at tonight’s ceremony as part of a tribute for the victims of the attack that took place at her concert in May last year.

However, the chief executive of the Brit Awards has confirmed reports she has been unable to travel to the UK.

Geoff Taylor told BBC Radio 5 Live: “We think it’s really important to recognise that terrible atrocity and the impact on so many lives, so I can confirm we did have Ariana Grande lined up to make a performance tonight.

“Unfortunately she was not able to travel on doctor’s orders. She’s not well and I can say that there will be something tonight. I can’t say any more than that, but people should tune in and watch.

“And hopefully it will be a fitting remembrance and recognition of what happened, which was so terrible.”

Mr Taylor added: “People went out to enjoy music. Music is such a unifying force for all of us and a terrible thing happened, and it’s important that we remember that.”

Pressed about rumours that Liam Gallagher will be stepping in for Grande, Mr Taylor dodged the question and said: “I think people should tune in tonight, I promise they won’t be disappointed.”

Grande’s concert was targeted by a suicide bombing that killed 22 people when an attacker detonated an explosive device as fans left the Manchester Arena on 22 May.

Two weeks later, Grande returned to the city after organising the One Love Manchester benefit concert, which enthralled and warmed the hearts of a global audience of millions.

The emotional gig featured performances from the likes of Gallagher, Miley Cyrus, Take That, Robbie Williams, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber and Coldplay. The gig helped the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund raise more than £10 million to help those injured or bereaved in the attack.

This year’s Brit Awards sees singer Dua Lipa leading the pack with five nominations. Ed Sheeran is also being backed for success following a stellar 2017.

The ceremony, held at London’s O2 Arena, will also see music stars emulating their film colleagues as anti-sexual harassment movement Time’s Up will take a prominent place on the red carpet.

Attendees will be given a white rose badge before they arrive in the latest award show protest since the Harvey Weinstein scandal rocked Hollywood last year.