The winners of the Brit Awards 2022 as gender-specific categories get axed

In the first Brit awards where male and female categories have been done away with, this was a night where female artists stole the show, Correspondent Geraint Vincent reports

There was a big change at the Brit Awards 2022 as organisers wanted to make the awards "as inclusive and as relevant as possible".

The awards ceremony on Tuesday night took place at the O2 Arena in London and was aired live on ITV.

This year saw nominations for more women in more than a decade.

Eighteen female artists or all-women groups were nominated, just behind the 22 female acts given nods in 2010. In 2000 and 2001, 18 female acts were also nominated.

Meanwhile, Sir Elton John received his first Brit nomination in 20 years, in the song of the year category for his collaboration with Dua Lipa.

Here's more about who was involved on Tuesday night and who the nominees were.

Who hosted the awards this year?

The ceremony returned on February 8 with comedian Mo Gilligan on hosting duties, replacing Jack Whitehall, who has helmed the event in recent years.

Gilligan, 33, said he was “shocked” but honoured to take the prestigious role, adding that he wanted it to feel like a “party.”

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Mo Gilligan Credit: PA

Speaking to the Brit Awards Show Programme, he said: “I was so shocked to be asked to host this year’s Brits.

“These are the things I’ve grown up with, so you don’t think that one day you’ll be a part of it.

“Honestly, it feels like a huge honour.”

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Who performed this year?

Adele was among the performers at the awards ceremony.

It comes after she postponed her Las Vegas Caesars Palace residency at short notice, with Grammy-winning country music star Keith Urban stepping in to replace her.

There were also live performances from Dave, Doja Cat, Ed Sheeran, Holly Humberstone, Liam Gallagher and Little Simz.

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How were the awards different this time?

Prizes were handed out to the artist of the year and the international artist of the year, replacing best male and female solo artist and best international male and female solo artist.

The Brits academy has faced pressure to abolish its gender-specific awards.

It says the move celebrates artists “solely for their music and work, rather than how they choose to identify or as others may see them, as part of The Brits’ commitment to evolving the show to be as inclusive and as relevant as possible.”

Dua Lipa performing at last year's ceremony. Credit: PA

The academy is made up of around 1,200 music industry experts across media, artists, labels, publishers, promoters, retailers and more.

Popstar Sam Smith, who won the critics’ choice prize in 2014 and identifies as non-binary, using the pronouns they/them, had called for the move, saying they looked forward to a time when awards shows are “reflective of the society we live in.”

Here are the nominations in full, along with Tuesday night's winners:

Album of the year. Winner: Adele - 30

  • Adele - 30

  • Dave - We're All Alone In This Together

  • Ed Sheeran - =

  • Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert

  • Sam Fender - Seventeen Going Under

Artist of the year. Winner: Adele

  • Adele

  • Dave

  • Ed Sheeran

  • Little Simz

  • Sam Fender

International group of the year. Winner: Silk Sonic

  • ABBA

  • BTS

  • Måneskin

  • Silk Sonic

  • The War On Drugs

International artist of the year. Winner: Billie Eilish

  • Billie Eilish

  • Doja Cat

  • Lil Nas X

  • Olivia Rodrigo

  • Taylor Swift

Best new artist. Winner: Little Simz

  • Central Cee

  • Griff

  • Joy Crookes

  • Little Simz

  • Self Esteem

Song of the year. Winner: Adele - Easy On Me

  • A1 & J1 - Latest Trends

  • Adele - Easy On Me

  • Anne-Marie, KSI, Digital Farm Animals - Don't Play

  • Becky Hill & David Guetta - Remember

  • Central Cee - Obsessed With You

  • Dave ft Stormzy - Clash

  • Ed Sheeran - Bad Habits

  • Elton John & Dua Lipa - Cold Heart (Pnau Mix)

  • Glass Animals - Heat Waves

  • Joel Corry, RAYE, David Guetta - BED

  • KSI - Holiday

  • Nathan Evans, 220Kid, Billen Ted - Wellerman

  • Riton x Nightcrawlers Ft Mufasa & Hypeman - Friday (Dopamine Re-Edit)

  • Tion Wayne & Russ Millions - Body

  • Tom Grennan - Little Bit Of Love

International song of the year. Winner: Olivia Rodrigo - good 4 u

  • ATB, Topic, A7S - Your Love (9PM)

  • Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever

  • Ckay - love nwantiti (ah ah ah)

  • Doja Cat ft SZA - Kiss Me More

  • Drake ft Lil Baby - Girls Want Girls

  • Galantis, David Guetta, Little Mix - Heartbreak Anthem

  • Jonasu - Black Magic

  • Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber - STAY

  • Lil Nas X - MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)

  • Lil Tijay & 6LACK - Calling My Phone

  • Maneskin - I Wanna Be Your Slave

  • Olivia Rodrigo - good 4 u

  • Polo G - Rapstar

  • Tiesto - The Business

  • The Weeknd - Save Your Tears

Best group. Winner: Wolf Alice

  • Coldplay

  • D-Block Europe

  • Little Mix

  • London Grammar

  • Wolf Alice

Best POP/R&B act. Winner: Dua Lipa

  • Adele

  • Dua Lipa

  • Ed Sheeran

  • Griff

  • Joy Crookes

Best Rock/Alternative act. Winner: Sam Fender

  • Coldplay

  • Glass Animals

  • Sam Fender

  • Tom Grennan

  • Wolf Alice

Best Dance act. Winner: Becky Hill

  • Becky Hill

  • Calvin Harris

  • Fred Again

  • Joel Corry

  • RAYE

Best Hip Hop/Rap/Grime act. Winner: Dave

  • AJ Tracey

  • Central Cee

  • Dave

  • Ghetts

  • Little Simz