Brit Awards 2026 criticised for ‘pathetic’ In Memoriam segment

Viewers of the BRIT Awards were outraged by the show’s In Memoriam segment, calling it “a poor effort.”

During Saturday night’s event, Tim Burgess of The Charlatans took the stage to spearhead the In Memoriam tributes, highlighting the loss of his dear friend, Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, who passed away in November.

The musician struggled with his speech, casually mentioning “Mani,” which some interpreted as a reference to Manchester, leading to confusion about whom he was talking about.

A short video then rolled, displaying the names of numerous stars who passed over the last year, with their names flashing momentarily on the screen as select artists’ music played in the background.

However, the rapid pace of the segment left fans dissatisfied, just before the show transitioned to a commercial break.

Expressing their frustration on X (formerly Twitter), one viewer stated: “What a subpar memorial for the artists who passed last year.”

“Surely more time could have been dedicated to recognizing Mike Peters (a celebrated Welsh musician) and Rick Buckler of The Jam (another notable Brit and impressive drummer).”

Another person commented, “That tribute was laughably inadequate.”

“Wow! That was one of the poorest ‘In Memoriam’ segments I’ve ever witnessed,” another added.

“What was that all about #Brits2026?” questioned another, expressing disappointment over the lack of respect shown to those who passed.

Another viewer remarked: “The names were shown so quickly, no one could read them. That was disappointing, Brits #Brits2026.”

“Who thought of that blink-and-you-miss-it tribute? Had to make way for adverts….” another criticised.

While addressing the crowd at Manchester’s Co-Op Arena, Sturgess remarked: “Hey all, I’m here tonight to honor my dear friend. Mani transformed music and inspired countless future generations. His music will keep his legacy alive.

“He was truly remarkable. Let’s pause to remember Mani and appreciate the time we spent together.”

“Let’s dedicate a few moments to reflect on Mani.”

Though the In Memoriam segment received criticism, the award show celebrated artists both alive and gone.