Sam Fender Kisses Girlfriend Rosa Collier as He Clinches First BRIT Award
The 2026 BRIT Awards, held for the first time at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, kicked off with a heartwarming moment as Sam Fender shared a congratulatory kiss with his seldom-seen girlfriend, actress Rosa Collier. The 31-year-old musician secured the first award of the night, taking home Song of the Year for his track “Reign In Me.”
Fender, who was nominated for a total of four awards this year, collaborated with Olivia Dean on the hit song. “Reign In Me” had previously topped the UK singles chart and spent an impressive 35 weeks in the Top 40. As veteran entertainer Robbie Williams presented the award to Fender and Dean, Sam leaned in for a tender kiss with Rosa before heading to the stage to accept his accolade.
Olivia Dean, 26, expressed her delight, stating, “I think this is a beautiful song and it’s been a pleasure to be a part of it.”
The relationship between Sam Fender and Rosa Collier, a talented actress, has reportedly been kept under wraps since 2022. While they initially dated for a few months, their connection reportedly became more serious in 2023. A friend of the couple confided in the press, “Sam is very much in love with Rosa and they have been secretly dating since 2022. They dated loosely for a few months and then things became way more serious in 2023. They’ve travelled quite a bit together and recently they went on a romantic holiday to the Maldives.”
The source added, “They seem serious. She knows Sam’s family and band well and is on tour with him now. If his fans look closely, they’ll see her cheering from the crowd. Rosa is always front and centre, supporting her man.” Collier and Fender reportedly met while she was studying at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Olivia Dean Dominates the 2026 BRIT Awards
The 46th edition of the BRIT Awards proved to be a monumental night for Olivia Dean. The 26-year-old British singer-songwriter was a standout performer, sweeping the board by winning in every single category she was nominated for. Dean took home an impressive four awards, including Best Artist, Best Album for “The Art Of Loving,” Best Song for “Man I Need,” and Best Pop Act.
This remarkable achievement saw Dean become the first woman since Adele in 2021 to simultaneously hold the UK’s number one single and album in the same week. Her critically acclaimed work, “Man I Need” and “The Art Of Loving,” both released in 2025, resonated deeply with the public and critics alike.
Mixed Fortunes for Other Nominees
While Olivia Dean celebrated a triumphant evening, it was a different story for Lily Allen. Despite the success of her fifth studio album, “West End Girl,” released last year, Allen left empty-handed. She was nominated in several key categories, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best Pop Act, but was ultimately outshone by Dean.
Allen, 40, had used her album to candidly detail the breakdown of her marriage to “Stranger Things” star David Harbour, 50, and alleged infidelity during their relationship. Despite having been nominated for a BRIT Award eight times previously, the “Not Fair” hitmaker has only secured one win in her career to date. She was not in attendance at this year’s ceremony.
Meanwhile, Manchester-born music icon Noel Gallagher, 58, was recognised with the Songwriter of the Year award. This honour comes shortly after his highly anticipated reunion with his brother Liam for a massive Oasis comeback tour.
A Poignant Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne
The evening also featured a deeply moving moment when Sharon Osbourne, 73, took to the stage to accept the BRITs Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of her late husband, Ozzy Osbourne. Supported by her daughter Kelly, 41, Sharon delivered a heartfelt tribute to the legendary frontman.
“He was gifted, totally unpredictable, a wild man – he was a true artist,” she said. “He came from a small, working-class neighbourhood in Birmingham and rose to become one of the most recognisable and respected musicians of his life. He never stopped pushing himself to do better. He was the most humble ego-maniac you could ever meet. And yes, at the end of the day, he will always be a rock star. Ozzy’s heart never left England. Wherever he was in the world, he was always proud to be that working-class Brummie.”
The ceremony concluded with an all-star rock tribute performance dedicated to Ozzy, who sadly passed away in July of the previous year.
The BRITs Embrace Manchester
The 2026 BRIT Awards marked a significant shift in the ceremony’s history, as it was held outside of London for the very first time, taking place at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. This move is part of a three-year deal with Sony Music UK, who championed the relocation to the northern city.
Historically, the BRIT Awards have been hosted in various iconic London venues, including Earl’s Court, the London Arena, Alexandra Palace, Hammersmith Apollo, the Dominion Theatre, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Grosvenor Hotel, as well as its original home at Wembley Conference Centre.
However, this departure from the capital signifies a new era for the prestigious music awards. A source commented on the change, stating, “It’s officially the end of an era. The BRIT Awards has been hosted in London since the ceremony first took place in 1977 and now for the first time ever, it will be held outside of the capital.”
The sentiment within the music industry suggests a growing desire for the ceremony to explore new locations. “Obviously, it’s going to come as sad news to artists and talent who are London-based but there’s a feeling within the music industry that these shows don’t always need to be held at the same venues, year after year,” the source added.
The relocation is expected to broaden the ceremony’s reach and engage a new audience. “The BRITs is the biggest night in the British music calendar and now it will be shared with a new audience, as fans from Manchester and the surrounding areas are more likely to attend.” This move aligns with a broader trend seen in other major music awards, such as The Mercury Prize and The MOBO Awards, indicating a move towards a less London-centric music scene for both nominees and fans alike.
