Kelly Osbourne made a powerful return to the spotlight on Saturday night, stepping onto the red carpet alongside her mother Sharon as the family prepared to accept a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award for the late rock legend Ozzy Osbourne.
The 41-year-old star appeared composed and glamorous at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, just days after fiercely shutting down online trolls who criticised her recent weight loss. Refusing to let the “body-shaming” remarks define her, Kelly posed confidently for photographers in a sleek black gown paired with a dramatic feathered jacket, while Sharon, 73, stood proudly beside her in a tailored three-piece black suit.
The evening carried an emotional weight. Ozzy, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath, passed away last July aged 76 at his Buckinghamshire home following an acute myocardial infarction and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. His influence on modern rock remains immeasurable — and the BRITs honoured that legacy with one of the night’s most poignant tributes.
The ceremony’s Chair, Stacey Tang, described Ozzy as “a mighty force in modern music,” adding that he “reshaped the sound and spirit of rock” with his unmistakable voice and presence. The Lifetime Achievement Award, she said, recognises “a remarkable legacy built on originality and enduring influence.”
Sharon herself curated a spectacular closing tribute, personally inviting longtime family friend Robbie Williams to lead an all-star performance. The segment featured a special arrangement of No More Tears — the title track from Ozzy’s multi-million-selling 1991 album — performed alongside guitarist Zakk Wylde, Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo and Tommy Clufetos, all of whom played key roles in Ozzy’s band over the years.
For longtime fans, the moment also stirred memories of 2008, when Ozzy hosted the BRIT Awards with Sharon, Kelly and Jack — a full-circle reminder of how deeply intertwined the Osbournes are with British music history.
Beyond the emotional tribute, this year’s ceremony marked a new chapter for the awards. After facing criticism in previous years over gender representation following the removal of male and female categories, organisers confirmed that 70 percent of this year’s nominees are female or non-binary — a significant shift after the all-male Artist of the Year shortlist in 2023.
Among the headline names were Lola Young and Olivia Dean, who each secured five nominations, while Lily Allen made a notable comeback with three nods for her fifth album West End Girl. Allen candidly used the record to chronicle the breakdown of her marriage to Stranger Things star David Harbour and his alleged infidelities.
Meanwhile, British rapper Dave earned three nominations following the success of his third studio album The Boy Who Played The Harp, becoming the first UK rap artist to debut three albums at number one.
Raye, who broke records last year by winning six awards in a single ceremony, returned to perform once again. Speaking ahead of her appearance, she said, “We are so grateful to the BRIT Awards for having us back on their stage. Me and the band are very excited. Lots of love, Raye.”
Comedian Jack Whitehall also made his Manchester debut as host, marking his sixth time fronting the show — and his first in the city he credits with shaping his early comedy career.
But despite the glitz, the fashion, and the fierce competition, it was Kelly and Sharon’s united front — dressed in black, honouring a husband and father — that became one of the night’s most moving images.
