Brit Awards 2023: 29 pictures including Harry Styles, Sam Smith, Charli XCX, Becky Hill and Lewis Capaldi

Harry Styles was the big winner at the 2023 Brit Awards, with the former One Direction singer winning four awards during the star-studded ceremony at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night (February 11).

Styles won the award for best pop/R&B act, which is voted for by the public via TikTok, continuing his success at the Grammys last week where he scooped album of the year.

After punching the air and taking to the stage, he thanked his fans before adding: “I have so many wonderful memories at the Brits so thank you for another one. It is so good to be home.”

The Redditch-born singer then won his second Brit Award of the night, for artist of the year.

Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, Sam Smith ahd Lizzo at the Brit Awards

He then completed his hat-trick by scooping song of the year for his No.1 hit As It Was.

To complete a remarkable year, Styles then claimed the coveted album of the year award.

The event faced a backlash this year, its second with gender-neutral categories, after the best artist list featured only male artists – Central Cee, Fred Again, George Ezra, Stormzy and Styles.

This was despite an increase in female artists or all-women groups across the board.

Sam Smith attending the Brit Awards 2023 at the O2 Arena, London.

While on stage, Styles namechecked Charli XCX, Rina Sawayama, Mabel, Florence + The Machine and Becky Hill – all female acts who might have been tapped for the award.

In an apparent reference to the online backlash to comments he made at the Grammys last weekend, he added that he was “very aware of my privilege up here tonight”.

While accepting the Grammy for best album last Sunday, he said on-stage: “This doesn’t happen to people like me very often” prompting some to comment that artists from diverse backgrounds such as Beyonce have faced more obstacles to success.

He also thanked his family and his former One Direction bandmates, saying: “I wouldn’t be here without you.”

West Lothian's Lewis Capaldi on the red carper at the Brit Awards 2023 at the O2 Arena, London

Indie rockers Wet Leg also followed up on their success at the Grammys last week, where they won two prizes, by claiming the gongs for best new artist and best group.

The Isle of Wight-formed band, comprised of Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, are due to head out on tour as Styles’ opening act in the coming months.

Vocalist Teasdale appeared to poke fun at Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner’s acceptance speech at the 2014 ceremony by quoting it closely.

She said: “That rock and roll, hey. That rock and roll, it just won’t go away. It might hibernate for time to time, then sink back into the swamp.”

Singer Tom Grennan attending the Brit Awards 2023 at the O2 Arena, London.

Laughing, she then added: “But in seriousness thank you so much. This is so scary because being on the telly can be such a boys’ club thing” before thanking all the women involved in making their debut album.

Ahead of her visit to Edinburgh later this year, Beyonce also won two Brits – best international artist and best international song for her dancefloor focussed anthem Break My Soul.

The pop superstar was not present but in a video message said: “Thank you so much for this incredible recognition” before thanking her British fans and adding: “The renaissance begins!”

International group went to Irish post-punks Fontaines DC – their first win at the Brits.

This year, four genre categories were decided by the public via a vote on TikTok – alternative rock act, hip hop/rap/grime act, dance act and pop/R&B act.

Styles claimed best pop/R&B act while alternative rock act went to The 1975 and Manchester rapper Aitch claimed the prize for hip hop/rap/grime act.

England footballer Declan Rice hits the red carpet at the Brit Awards 2023 at the O2 Arena, London.

Aitch thanked the fans for voting, his team and his record label and added “not many” people from where he is from in the city win awards.

Vocalist Becky Hill, who has lent her voice to numerous top 10 dance-pop singles, won the dance act prize for a second consecutive year.

Tearfully, Hill said she was touched by the comments on being nominated and felt she was getting over her “imposter syndrome”.

R&B girl group Flo were previously announced as the winners of the 2023 Rising Star award and were handed their gong on the red carpet by Jessie J, the recipient of the 2011 prize.

Host Mo Gilligan kicked off the ceremony with a skit in which he arrived at the O2 Arena via a helicopter organised by Lizzo.

Black was the dominant colour on the red carpet ahead of the show, with Styles, Smith, Salma Hayek Pinault and many more opting for all-black outfits.