The BRIT Awards are never without controversy, and this year viewers have predicted it's the musical performances which will spark Ofcom complaints.
Last night's ceremony kicked off with Sabrina Carpenter performing her 2024 hits Espresso and Bed Chem. The 25-year-of strutted into London's O2 Arena flanked by scores of dancers dressed in the traditional garb of the King's Guard, complete with bearskin hats.
The show was broadcast live on ITV and ITVX from 8:15pm, well before the 9pm watershed - and some viewers weren't happy with the starlet's innuendo-heavy lyrics and equally spicy dance routine.
The former Disney star, who was dating Irish actor Barry Keoghan until December 2024, writhed around wearing red glittery lingerie, complete with fishnet stockings and suspenders. At one point, she kneeled in front of a male dancer who then gave a knowing wink to the camera.
One viewer posted on X, formerly Twitter, "Christ, you might as well put porn on prime time Saturday night. What is Sabrina Carpenter doing?"
There were more comments predicting that Ofcom - broadcasting's regulatory body - would be swimming in complaints from angry viewers.
“Sabrina already getting Ofcom complaints for her BRITS performance is so funny why does this country hate having fun,” posted on X. Another added: “Sabrina Carpenter doing Bed Chem pre-watershed? The Ofcom complaints about that performance are gonna be through the roof but I enjoyed it. That's my girl! #BRITs.”
Others seemed to think the inevitable complaints show how petty people in the UK can be. They mused: “Sorry but the BRITS had been so f***ing unhinged tonight like the amount of complaints incoming to Ofcom is insane but I love it.”
Another viewer used the discussion to reminisce about how wild the ceremony used to be - recalling some of the most shocking moments which happened thirty years ago. "The fact that people are going on about 'ooh Ofcom will get some complaints tonight!'. This maybe chaotic but it is NO WAY like what it was in the 90s come on! #BRITs #BRITs2025," they posted.
Other fans, though, loved the performance, with one writing: "SABRINAS PERFORMANCE WAS AMAZING!! but im so scared bc i just know people are gonna complain. we love you sab," as another shared: "People criticising Sabrina Carpenter’s outfit/performance clearly don’t understand her lore. She’s iconic."
We will need to wait a few days to see if social media users' predictions come to pass. An Ofcom spokesperson told the Mirror that programmes with fifty complaints or more make it into their weekly audience complaint report, which is published on Wednesday.
Sabrina was back on stage later in the night to pick up the Global Success Award, becoming the first ever international artist to get given the prize. Former winners include Adele and Ed Sheeran.
It was the first year that the BRITS committee decided to open up the award to overseas artists, meaning Sabrina could take home the huge accolade.
The singer dominated global charts in 2024, including holding the number one UK single slot for 21 weeks and was the first artist to do so in over seven decades. She also was the first female artist to ever hold the top three spots at the same time for her three biggest tracks - Espresso, Taste and Please Please Please.
Sabrina also replicated a record held by The Beatles as she became the first artist to have their first three Top 5 hits in the Top5 at the same time, a feat the famous band achieved over six decades ago.
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