Olivia Dean was the big winner at the Brit Awards last night, taking home four prizes, but some viewers expressed anger on social media following ITV‘s decision to censor multiple political statements from the broadcast.

Geese drummer Max Bassin, on stage to collect the Group of the Year prize, ended his acceptance speech by saying “I just want to say: free Palestine and f*** I.C.E.”. ITV censored both his Middle East and U.S. oriented remarks by adding in crowd noise so they couldn’t be heard.

Earlier in the night, presenter Jack Whitehall made a joke about Lord Mandelson as he spoke to a table filled with political figures including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. That comment was also censored.

A source at the broadcaster initially told us that Bassin was censored because of his use of strong language/swearing. When asked why the term ‘free Palestine’ was also censored the source indicated that precise edits of single words were difficult to achieve given the five second time delay between the live event and transmission, so both politically oriented statements were removed.

We’ve asked ITV whether it’s the broadcaster’s policy to censor political statements at awards and arts events. We’ll update once we hear back.

Oasis band member Noel Gallagher saw his speech for Songwriter of the Year censored. After thanking his brother and his bandmates, he shouted: “Up the f***ing Blues” in reference to his beloved Manchester City. But the moment was banned from TV due to the use of a swear word.

Unimpressed watchers took to social to complain. One posted: “Free speech and all that. Bleep bleep. #Brits2026.” Another commented: “I’ve never known the Brits bleep out so much stuff? What is happening #Brits2026”

The edits come a week after the furore over the BBC’s controversial decision to leave in an offensive racial slur in its broadcast of the BAFTA awards but to cut other comments made on stage such as Akinola Davies’ acceptance speech which included the phrase ‘free Palestine’.

At the BRIT Awards, Brit pop star Dean took home awards on the night for artist of the year, album of the year, pop act, and song of the year for Rein Me In, alongside Sam Fender, whose album People Watching the song features on.