Three wins for Adele at non-binary Brit Awards

British stand-up comedian Mo Gilligan took a swipe at scandal-embroiled British Prime Minister Boris Johnson while hosting the 2022 Brit awards, inviting him to the ceremony to enjoy some cheese

British superstar Adele won three awards, including the coveted Album of the Year, at the Brit awards on Tuesday, during a ceremony that did away with gender specific categories for the first time.

Adele won best album for "30", as well as song of the year for her hit single "Easy On Me" and artist of the year, no longer female or male, after which she acknowledged the changing times.

"I can't believe a piano ballad won against so many bangers," she said after winning song of the year against competition from the likes of A1 & J1, Central Cee, Glass Animals and KSI.

The Brits said they did away with gendered categories to celebrate "artists solely for their music and work, rather than how they choose to identify or as others may see them."

- Genre not gender -

Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran paid homage to his wife as he received the award for Songwriter of the Year and gave two memorable performances at the arena, which had been decorated with mock pylons loaded with fireworks for the occasion.

Last year's winner of British Album of the Year, Dua Lipa, won the TikTok vote for best pop/R&B act, and Sam Fender won Best Alternative Rock Act, which was presented by Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood.

"I've been a little drum'n'bass raver since I was 12 years old," an emotional Hill told the audience.

"I want to say to anyone who is watching this at home –- I am living proof that if you work hard at something, no matter where you come from, no matter your background, no matter your race, you can do something extraordinary," she said.

- 'Where's Boris? -

"Boris I know you're watching, I know you love a party, come on my guy, come down," he said, with Johnson's premiership teetering amid allegations of lockdown-breaking parties at Downing Street.

The evening included performances by Liam Gallagher and Anne Marie, who stumbled during her performance of "Kiss My (Uh-Oh)" in front of the 20,000-strong audience, but regained her composure.

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Originally published as Three wins for Adele at non-binary Brit Awards