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While Katy Perry’s performance at this year’s Brit Awards will mostly be remembered for the bold political statement she made in the middle of it, some viewers were rather distracted by one of her dancers, who fell clean off the stage mid-routine.
Katy hit the stage on Wednesday night (22 February) surrounded by an array of dancers, all of whom were dressed as houses, following her performance at the Grammys earlier this month, which had a similar theme.
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However, the house costumes in question clearly didn’t allow the dancers inside much in terms of being able to see their way around the stage, and in the middle of her performance… erm… this happened:
In addition the houses surrounding her, Katy was joined on stage by two giant skeletons in business attire, who quickly drew comparisons to Theresa May and Donald Trump, particularly as they were first seen holding hands, in a pose similar to the two world leaders.
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Katy previously caused a stir on stage at the Grammys, when she and Skip Markley stood united in front of a projection of the US constitution, which was interpreted as a clear message to the newly-elected President Trump.
Other performers at this year’s Brits included Little Mix, who opened the show with an an energetic routine, and Chris Martin, who used his time on stage to pay tribute to the late George Michael.
Grime artist Skepta also took to the stage, but his performance was heavily censored by bosses due to his language, a move which irked many Brits viewers watching at home.
1
Adele proves why you don't rush a superstar (2013)
Best British Album is the category every UK artist wants to win at the Brits, so it's understandable that Adele would want to soak up the moment.
Sadly for host James Corden, it looked as though her acceptance speech was going to overlap with Blur's performance, and as he tried to hurry her along, a frustrated Adele wound up flipping the bird before leaving the stage.
Sadly for host James Corden, it looked as though her acceptance speech was going to overlap with Blur's performance, and as he tried to hurry her along, a frustrated Adele wound up flipping the bird before leaving the stage.
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3
Samantha Fox and Mick Fleetwood Host The Show (1989)
Eugene Adebari/REX/Shutterstock
It's now been 30 years since this happened, but we're still puzzled as to exactly who thought that teaming up two completely unrelated non-presenters to host one of Britain's biggest TV events was a good idea.
The excruciating evening was dogged with guest mix-ups, autocue fails and jokes that went down like lead balloons. So all in all, not a great night, but it is still being talked about, which surely counts for something, right?
The excruciating evening was dogged with guest mix-ups, autocue fails and jokes that went down like lead balloons. So all in all, not a great night, but it is still being talked about, which surely counts for something, right?
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4
Robbie Williams vs. Liam Gallagher (2000)
They'd already been swapping insults in the press for a while, but things between Robbie and Liam came to a head at the Brits in 2000.
Our favourite part of this video is right at the end, when the late Caroline Aherne muses that her money would be on Liam...
Our favourite part of this video is right at the end, when the late Caroline Aherne muses that her money would be on Liam...
5
What is Tony Blair doing at the Brit Awards? (1996)
What seems like a strange move looking back, David Bowie chose the then-leader of the opposition Tony Blair to welcome him to the stage, when he was awarded Outstanding Contribution in 1996.
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Cat Deeley declares: 'Rock is back!' (2004)
PA
Largely inspired by the success of The Darkness, Cat Deeley opened the Brits in 2004 with a bold declaration about the return of rock music and how Brits bosses had lifted the alcohol ban in place for the previous few years (hence the champagne bottle).
However, the night was hardly a rock-heavy occasion, with performers on the night including 50 Cent, Missy Elliott and... Dido.
However, the night was hardly a rock-heavy occasion, with performers on the night including 50 Cent, Missy Elliott and... Dido.
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7
Kanye West keeps the Brit Awards censors busy for five minutes (2015)
Yeezus blessed the Brits audience in 2015 with a debut performance of a new track, All Day.
Unfortunately for viewers at home, most of it was censored due to Kanye's repeated use of the n-word (though the censorship didn't stop some viewers from complaining regardless).
Unfortunately for viewers at home, most of it was censored due to Kanye's repeated use of the n-word (though the censorship didn't stop some viewers from complaining regardless).
8
Justin Timberlake invites a surprise A-list guest (2003)
The Brits is famous for its live collaborations, whether it's Rihanna and Klaxons, Dizzee Rascal and Florence Welch or the Bedingfield siblings teaming up for a slightly uncomfortable love song.
In our eyes, though, Justin Timberlake and Kylie Minogue's performance of Rapture is the one that stands out the most, showcasing two stars absolutely at the top of their game with great chemistry.
In our eyes, though, Justin Timberlake and Kylie Minogue's performance of Rapture is the one that stands out the most, showcasing two stars absolutely at the top of their game with great chemistry.
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Geri Halliwell's dress becomes immediately iconic (1997)
Alan Davidson / Silverhub/REX/Shutterstock
The legend goes that Geri and her sister made her infamous Union Jack dress with a tea-towel, adding a peace sign on the back so as not to offend anyone.
Years later, the iconic garment went on to sell for a record-breaking £41,320 at an auction.
Years later, the iconic garment went on to sell for a record-breaking £41,320 at an auction.
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10
Stormzy makes a powerful point with his performance (2018)
By the end of the 2018 ceremony, the night already belonged to Stormzy, who had picked up Best British Male as well as the top award of the night, Best British Album.
It was fitting, then, that he should also close the show, putting on an elaborate performance of Blinded By Your Grace, pt. 2. It was what came next that grabbed headlines, though, as he launched into a freestyle rap calling out Theresa May's government for their reaction to the Grenfell tragedy, as well as highlighting injustice and racism.
As if that wasn't enough, off came the t-shirt and on came the rain, for an energetic run of Big For Your Boots. Incredible stuff, that even won praise from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
It was fitting, then, that he should also close the show, putting on an elaborate performance of Blinded By Your Grace, pt. 2. It was what came next that grabbed headlines, though, as he launched into a freestyle rap calling out Theresa May's government for their reaction to the Grenfell tragedy, as well as highlighting injustice and racism.
As if that wasn't enough, off came the t-shirt and on came the rain, for an energetic run of Big For Your Boots. Incredible stuff, that even won praise from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
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Joss Stone raises eyebrows with her "jokes"... and accent (2007)
Admittedly, she'd been off the scene for a little while by the time she hit the stage to present Best British Male at the 2007 Brits, but last we checked, she was from Devon, not the East Coast of America?
Joss also created a stir for her tribute to Robbie Williams, as well as her joke about Russell Brand's past rehab stint.
Joss also created a stir for her tribute to Robbie Williams, as well as her joke about Russell Brand's past rehab stint.
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Sharon Osbourne vs. Vic Reeves (2008)
She'd been (surprisingly) on her best behaviour all night, but Sharon lost her patience when Vic Reeves struggled with the autocue while presenting the biggest award of the night.
Despite being blasted as a "pisshead" and a "drunk bastard", Vic later insisted he hadn't been drinking.
As if that wasn't enough, the Arctic Monkeys went on to hit out at the Brits school in their acceptance speech immediately afterwards, though this was cut from the final broadcast.
Despite being blasted as a "pisshead" and a "drunk bastard", Vic later insisted he hadn't been drinking.
As if that wasn't enough, the Arctic Monkeys went on to hit out at the Brits school in their acceptance speech immediately afterwards, though this was cut from the final broadcast.
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13
Peter Kay vs. Liam Gallagher (2010)
Britain's favourite stand-up comedian Peter Kay might seem like a surprising choice to host the Brits, but he actually wound up being responsible for one of the ceremony's most rock 'n' roll moments of the past decade.
When Liam Gallagher defiantly threw his Brit into the crowd - having already snubbed brother Noel in his acceptance speech - the 'Phoenix Nights' star put him down with a simple "what a nobhead".
Not the wittiest of lines, admittedly, but effective all the same.
When Liam Gallagher defiantly threw his Brit into the crowd - having already snubbed brother Noel in his acceptance speech - the 'Phoenix Nights' star put him down with a simple "what a nobhead".
Not the wittiest of lines, admittedly, but effective all the same.
14
John Prescott gets a soaking (1998)
PA
Proving that politics and pop aren't always the best companions, when then Labour Cabinet Minister attended the 1998 bash, indie band Chumbawamba thought they'd let him know exactly how they felt about him getting an invite by throwing a bucket of iced water over the MP.
Despite the fact the record label apologised, the band were unrepentant, 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."
Despite the fact the record label apologised, the band were unrepentant, 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."
15
Alex Turner gets some stuff off his chest (2014)
When Arctic Monkeys won Best Album in 2014, frontman Alex Turner left us all baffled with his odd "that rock and roll, eh?" acceptable speech.
This ended in him telling Brits bosses, "invoice me for the microphone," before dropping it on the floor and walking off.
This ended in him telling Brits bosses, "invoice me for the microphone," before dropping it on the floor and walking off.
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16
Belle And Sebastian's win confuses everyone (1999)
First off, underdogs Belle and Sebastian had released a total of three albums when they were announced as the winners of Best British Newcomer in 1999, beating actual newcomers Steps, who had been heavily tipped for the award.
Their confusing victory led the national press to accuse them of rigging the vote in their favour by encouraging university students to vote online (which was still a fairly radical idea in 1999), though they insisted at the time this was not the case.
Their confusing victory led the national press to accuse them of rigging the vote in their favour by encouraging university students to vote online (which was still a fairly radical idea in 1999), though they insisted at the time this was not the case.
17
Brandon Block vs. Ronnie Wood (2000)
That very same year, Ronnie Wood was presenting Best Soundtrack when suddenly he was interrupted by confused DJ (and future 'Celebrity Big Brother' walker) Brandon Block, who had been jokingly informed by his friends he'd won an award.
After Ronnie called him a "c***" for interrupting, the two squared up, drinks were thrown and security were called.
It was all super awks, to be honest.
After Ronnie called him a "c***" for interrupting, the two squared up, drinks were thrown and security were called.
It was all super awks, to be honest.
18
Russell Brand divides viewers (2007)
ITV/Rex/Shutterstock
He was always going to be a controversial choice, but Russell's jokes about the war in Iraq and the queen's (his words) "naughty bits" definitely weren't for everyone, sparking more than 300 Ofcom complaints.
It didn't exactly hurt his career, though, and a year later he was brought in to host the MTV VMAs, which he did for two consecutive years, launching his career in the States.
It didn't exactly hurt his career, though, and a year later he was brought in to host the MTV VMAs, which he did for two consecutive years, launching his career in the States.
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19
Sadie Pinn crashes Ant and Dec's presenting spot (2016)
Still, despite the model's sudden appearance - and her eye-catching outfit - the boys barely broke a sweat.
Such pros.
Such pros.
20
Harry Styles almost misses One Direction's Global Success Award (2014)
In 2013, the Brits faced a backlash for the introduction of the Global Success award, which some suggested was just a ploy to give 1D a prize on the night.
A year later, they won in the same category, though most of their acceptance speech was conducted as a four-piece, as Harry Styles was preoccupied in the lavatory at the time.
A year later, they won in the same category, though most of their acceptance speech was conducted as a four-piece, as Harry Styles was preoccupied in the lavatory at the time.
21
Björk's acceptance speech is pure Björk (1998)
After being swung around by Alexander McQueen, Best International Female winner Björk told the crowd: "I am... grate...ful... grape... fruit."
Adorable.
Adorable.
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22
Andy Bell makes a subtle protest (1989)
After Erasure won Best British Group, frontman Andy Bell kissed presenter Boy George on the cheek, a subtle move by today's standards, but one that he claimed was a deliberate action against Section 28, which had been introduced by Margaret Thatcher's government the previous year.
23
Jack Whitehall reminds us what the Brits should be about (2018)
In the 2010s, the Brit Awards played it safe with its hosts, which ranged from James Corden to Ant and Dec, finally ending up with Dermot O'Leary and Emma Willis.
We'll admit we didn't exactly have high hopes when Jack Whitehall was announced, but after a decade of chumminess, it was so refreshing to have a host who would poke fun at the famous nominees, while successfully managing not to cross the line into nastiness.
We'll admit we didn't exactly have high hopes when Jack Whitehall was announced, but after a decade of chumminess, it was so refreshing to have a host who would poke fun at the famous nominees, while successfully managing not to cross the line into nastiness.
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Madonna falls down some stairs during 'Living For Love' performance (2015)
Will we ever be able to watch this without cringing?
Probably not, no.
Probably not, no.
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