The 12 Most Controversial BRIT Awards Moments

A look back at the 12 most notorious moments in The BRIT Awards’ history featuring awful presenters, offensive gags, fights, soaked politicians, verbal insults and more.** **

! Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood Bomb Disastrously (1989) The unlikely duo presented an absolute masterclass in how NOT to present an awards show!! The horrendously mismatched pair messed up their autocues, appeared paralysed with fear throughout and had absolutely zero on stage chemistry. Viewers across the country hid behind their coaches in sheer embarrassment at the shambles of a show. (Photo: PA Photos)

! Adele Flicks The Finger (2012) With time running over show producers shouted in host James Corden’s earpiece to cut Adele’s Album of the Year acceptance speech short – outraged, this prompted Adele to flip the finger live on national television. Adele later apologised saying the gesture was aimed at “the suits” and not her fans, while an ITV spokesperson said: "The Brits is a live event. Unfortunately the programme was overrunning and we had to move on. We would like to apologise to Adele for the interruption." (Photo: PA Photos)

! Jarvis Cocker Invades Michael Jackson Performance (1996) Seriously irked by Michael Jackson’s Christ-like rendition of ‘Earth Song’, Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker decided to invade the stage to protest against the performance by exposing his (clothed) buttocks in Jackson’s direction. Manhandled off the stage by security, Jarvis was questioned by police on suspicion of injuring three children on the stage. He was never charged. (Photo: Getty)

! Chumbawamba Throw Ice Water on John Prescott (1998) Stupidly named Danbert Nobacon – aka Nigel Hunter – from anarchic band Chumbawamba took exception to Labour politician John Prescott being present at the ceremony so decided to throw a bucket of champagne water on him. Although Chumbawamba’s label EMI apologised, the band remained fiercely defiant, saying: “If John Prescott has the nerve to turn up at events like the Brit Awards in a vain attempt to make Labour seem cool and trendy, then he deserves all we can throw at him” Ouch. (Photo: Getty)

! Peter Kay Calls Liam Gallagher A K*head (2010) After making an expletive strewn acceptance speech picking up Oasis’ BRITs Album of 30 Years honour for ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’, Liam launched the microphone into the crowd prompting show host Peter Kay to say afterwards “what a k*head.” In response, Liam wrote on Twitter: “Listen up fat f as a real northerner I was brought up 2 say s 2 people's faces not behind their back.”

! Sharon Osbourne Pushes Away ‘Drunk’ Vic Reeves (2008) When comedian Vic Reeves stumbled over his words and appeared to forget what award he was presenting, host Sharon Osbourne, who thought he was drunk, grabbed his microphone and pushed him away calling his a “pissed b***ard.” Reeves later said he wasn’t drunk and appeared confused due to an autocue malfunction. Poor Vic.

! Russell Brand’s Controversial Jokes (2007) Over a year before THAT infamous prank phone call with Jonathan Ross, Russell Brand stirred up significant controversy hosting the BRITs. Jokes included friendly fire in the Iraq war, the Queen’s “naughty bits” and Robbie Williams’ addiction to prescription drugs. ITV received over 300 complaints and unsurprisingly Russell never hosted The BRITs again. (Photo: Kevin Winter)

! Noel Gallagher Mocks A1 (2001) Not a huge fan of boybands or the pop genre as a whole, Oasis’s Noel Gallagher aimed verbal vitriol at Best Newcomer winners A1 when he handed U2 their Outstanding Contribution gong. Noel told the crowd: "This award ceremony over the years has been accused of not having a sense of humour, but when you see A1 winning best newcomer, you know that someone's taking the p*** somewhere."

! Ronnie Wood & Brandon Block Come To Blows (2000) An inebriated Brandon Block grabbed the headlines at the first BRITs of the Millennium when he bounded onto the stage thinking he’d won musician of the year. When Block was grappled by security, Best Soundtrack Album presenter Ronnie Wood fired an insult at the DJ prompting Block to break free and square up to him. The Rolling Stone had the last laugh when he threw a glass of water in Block’s face. (Photo: PA Photos)

! Robbie Williams Offers Liam Gallagher A Fight (2000) Once friends, in the late 90s Robbie and Oasis fell out and regularly traded insults in the press. At the height of his popularity, Robbie used The BRITs as a platform to offer Liam a fight saying during his Best Single acceptance speech: "So, anybody like to see me fight Liam? Liam, a hundred grand of your money and a hundred grand of my money. We'll get in a ring and we'll have a fight and you can all watch it on TV, what d'you think about that?" The fight, unsurprisingly, never materialised. (Photo: Anthony Harvey)

! Melanie C Taunts Liam Gallagher (1997) Three years before Robbie offered Liam a fight at The BRITs, Spice Girl Melanie C did the same, taunting "Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough!" Sporty Spice’s outburst was in reaction to Liam telling the press that he wasn’t going to The BRITs to avoid bumping into The Spice Girls. (Photo: PA Photos)

! The KLF Terrorize The BRITs (1992) Presumably hacked off that they had to share their Best British Group award with Simply Red, dance/art outfit The KLF wreaked terror on the ceremony by inviting death metal outfit Extreme Noise Terror to perform with them. The ferocious set ended with machine gun fire and a threat to quit the music industry, while they reportedly dumped a dead sheep with the words "I died for ewe - bon appetite" around its neck at an after party ceremony. (Photo: PA Photos)