Ozzy Osbourne will be honoured with a BRITs Lifetime Achievement Award at this week’s ceremony in Manchester – and a tribute performance fronted by Robbie Williams.
- READ MORE: Ozzy Osbourne, 1948-2025: culture-smashing revolutionary that redefined rock and reality TV
The show is being held outside of London for the first time in its 50-year history taking place at Manchester’s Co-op Live on February 28, and it is set to be a star-studded affair, with Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, HUNTR/X’s EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, Wolf Alice, Mark Ronson and Rosalía all already announced as playing at the ceremony.
Now, it’s been revealed that a tribute to Ozzy, who died last year just weeks after Black Sabbath played their huge ‘Back To The Beginning’ farewell show at Villa Park in Birmingham, will take place at the ceremony where he will be honoured with a BRITs Lifetime Achievement Award.
It will be accompanied by an “all-star rock tribute performance” that will close the show on the night. It will feature a special arrangement of ‘No More Tears’ – the title track from Ozzy’s multi-million selling 1991 album of the same name.
The performance, which has been curated by Ozzy’s wife and manager Sharon Osbourne, will feature musicians that played as part of Ozzy’s band over the years including Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo, Tommy Clufetos and Zakk Wylde.
It will also be fronted by Williams who was, according to a statement, “invited personally by Sharon to be part of this special moment, as a long-standing fan of the music, and friend of the Osbourne family.”
Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK said in a statement: “Ozzy Osbourne has been a mighty force in modern music.
“Possessing an unmistakable voice and unique presence, he reshaped the sound and spirit of rock, inspiring generations of artists who followed. This Lifetime Achievement Award recognises a remarkable legacy built on originality and enduring influence, that continues to connect with fans worldwide.”
Jack Whitehall is returning to host the BRITs this year for the sixth time, and this year’s trophy, designed by Matthew Williamson, has also been unveiled.
Scottish art-folk artist Jacob Alon has been confirmed as the winner of the 2026 BRITs Critics’ Choice Award, and those with the most nominations this year include Olivia Dean, former NME Cover star Lola Young, Sam Fender, Lily Allen and Lewisham rapper Jim Legxacy.
Other artists being honoured at this year’s BRITs include Mark Ronson, who has been awarded for his Outstanding Contribution to Music, and Noel Gallagher, who has been given the ‘Songwriter Of The Year’ award.
You can check out a full list of nominees here, and the show will be broadcast on ITV1 in the UK, with performances to be shared worldwide on YouTube.
Meanwhile, Sharon Osbourne recently said that Ozzy “knew” he was nearing the end of his life around the time of the ‘Back To The Beginning’ final show, but powered through because “he wanted to do it so bad”.
“Two weeks before the show, they said he could probably die, and he did. But he wanted to do it so bad,” she told the Dumb Blonde podcast. “He needed it. And [he was] like, ‘Whether I die in two weeks or I die in six months, I’m still dying. And I want to go my way.’ And he did. He went like a rock star.”
She also opened up about how the metal pioneer had fought off sepsis earlier that year, and as a result “knew it was time” to start thinking realistically about the limited time he had left.
“When he came out [of hospital], they said, ‘You know, Ozzy, this could kill you.’ And he said, ‘I’m doing my show.’ He went out like a king,” she shared.