SHE’S picking up the biggest award of the night after being named as this year’s Brit Awards Icon so it’s fitting Kylie Minogue is putting on a pretty spectacular performance.
I can exclusively reveal Kylie has worked on a huge set to close tonight’s show, which will see her joined by an army of dancers as she performs a medley of her greatest hits.
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And to kick us off, my favourite pop star Dua Lipa is opening proceedings with a very special Brits performance of her own – with my insiders telling me it’s the biggest Brit Awards opener they’d ever seen.
My mole said: “Kylie and Dua are going to raise the roof of the O2.
“Dua is opening the show with a bang and will have over 20 dancers with her on stage. She’s also got a special surprise lined up to make it a real spectacle.
“It’s powerful, punchy pop and will get everyone up on their feet for sure.
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“Kylie’s set is just as amazing and the O2 is going to become one massive party when she’s on stage.
“Like Dua, Kylie’s got an army of dancers who will be performing alongside her.
“She is going to be working through a medley of some of her greatest hits on stage and naturally, her huge hit Padam Padam is going to feature.
“Visually both performances are just spectacular and it’s going to look amazing whether you’re in the audience or watching at home.”
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The O2 was a hive of activity as they prepared for the ceremony, with another insider telling me that Kylie had even been given a dressing room solely for her outfits for the show.
I’m expecting Raye to clear up tonight and it could be a record-breaker.
Kylie Minogue performs at her Las Vegas residency
The Escapism singer has already won Songwriter of the Year and she is up for another seven Brits tonight so I can imagine her table is going to be like a merry-go-round.
I can also exclusively reveal some of the big name stars who have been booked to hand out tonight’s trophies, with American rock group Green Day flying in especially.
Stranger Things actor Joe Keery, Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey and the hottest man to have ever come out of Wales, Luke Evans, will also be presenting gongs.
Kingsley Ben-Adir, who plays Bob Marley in the new biopic about his life is also handing out a statuette, along with Amy Winehouse actress Marisa Abela.
It is going to be a night to remember.
Ellie’s heavy petal
ELLIE GOULDING looks blooming amazing as she hits the town ahead of tonight’s ceremony.
The singer wore a black dress covered in colourful flowers when she went to the Women In Music Awards at the Standard Hotel in London.
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Ellie is performing at the bash tonight alongside Calvin Harris. The pair are planning a high-octane performance of their No1 song Miracle.
I’m expecting Ellie to be on top form after she spent the past week relaxing in the sun in Puerto Rico with her new man, hot surfing instructor Armando Perez.
We revealed that Ellie had grown close to him after visiting the country with friends in January.
Her marriage to art dealer Caspar Jopling ended last year but they have remained good pals – and we’re told he will be cheering Ellie on from home with their son Arthur.
She will make it a performance to remember.
Stormzying in
STORMZY is one of the most famous men in music but it turns out even he gets star struck.
Awards host Roman Kemp told us the Vossi Bop rapper was beyond excited when he bumped into him and his dad, Spandau Ballet bass player Martin.
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Opening up about memories from previous awards night, Roman said: “The last time I went with my dad, Stormzy ran over and refused to let go without doing a selfie with him.
“I also had a weirdly and very passionate snog with Lewis Capaldi when he won his first award. That was interesting.”
Roman will be overseeing proceedings alongside Clara Amfo and Maya Jama.
Backstage, Clara said she was looking out for the Spice Girls after admitting they made her night when she bumped into them at past after-parties.
She said: “I’ve been to some great after-shows in my time.
“People mention the word iconic too frequently, but honestly, there isn’t a single Brits countdown conversation that doesn’t involve the Spice Girls in some shape of form.
“I was like, ‘Oh my God. It’s Sporty Spice,’ when I saw her at the Universal Music party.”
We’re exactly the same, Clara. See you there.
BRITS executive chef James Buckley and event caterer Payne and Gunter will serve up a three-course meal with poke bowl starter, a duck main course and mousse for pud.
James, backed by 90 chefs, said: “The dessert is an apple mousse dipped in white chocolate which has been dyed so it should glow in the dark under the UV lights.”
I can’t wait to tuck in.
Jack: I’m partying til 5am
RED carpet and after-show hosts Yinka Bokinni and Jack Saunders will be hitting the parties hard once the work is over.
In an exclusive chat, Jack said: “It’s going to be a 5am-er and I will be disappointed if it is not. I think Raye might be having a party and Sony will have a party.
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“It’s one of those nights where, in your head, it is a bit like a pub crawl through the parties.
“Inevitably it ends up being one because there is someone you have not met in ages.”
Meanwhile Yinka is heading straight to the Thames to join DJ Manny Norte. She said: “His after-party for the Brits is amazing and where all the cool kids go.
“Last year, Maya Jama was on the boat and I was like, Oh, shall I get on the boat?’ I went to Manny’s party and everyone from the boat came there. Then people did impromptu performances and I was dancing in a circle with Dave.
“Manny’s after-party for me is the hottest ticket in town.
“I don’t drink. I have never drunk because I don’t like the taste of it.
“You know it’s good if I am there because I am going mental.”
CELEBS and their entourages can top themselves up at the backstage bar away from the chaos.
A source said: “It is so serene and calm, which is the total opposite to the tables.
“The Brits have made it all white, with white tulips in vases all around the room with lotus-shaped seats.
“There are also big velvet sofas for the stars to hang out on with their entourages.”
Masked Maya
GIVEN she’s spent the past week trotting around Paris Fashion Week, you’d think Brits host Maya Jama would be totally exhausted.
But the ITV favourite told fans she is raring to go, after having a lie down with her LED therapy face mask and a drip.
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Maya, who still managed to look stylish in the rain with shades and an umbrella at the Rabanne womenswear show in Paris landed back in the UK on Thursday night. She then spent yesterday running through her lines on stage with co-hosts.
Insiders told me Maya was planning to go “all out” with her fashion choices tonight – and I can’t wait to see what her stylist has chosen
And in an exclusive chat backstage, Maya told us: “I can say one of my outfits will be a custom look by a well-known British designer, and I’ll be paying homage to a previous Brits look of mine with it.
“It’s such a pinch-me moment to be presenting the main show this year. It was a personal goal I’d always hoped to achieve and I’m really excited to be able to say I’m doing it now.
“I’ve known both Clara and Roman for a while now and we’re all really funny people.
“Doing live TV can be nervy but doing it with people you’re comfortable with makes it all the better and calms you, because you just don’t know what’ll happen on the night.”
Caity’s boozy tactics
RISING Star nominee Caity Baser has top advice to any other newbies at the do – take advantage of free flowing booze.
In an exclusive chat, the I’m A Problem singer said: “I went last year and for the first hour I hated it because I was in one of those moods where everything I was doing was cringing me out.
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“I was in a room of people who were so amazing and I was like, ‘Why the f*** am I here?’.
“Then I got drunk and was like, ‘Actually, I’m the s**t.’ Then I was going up to people like, ‘I know who you are! We should be friends’. I had a great time in the end.
“So this time, knowing that the Brits like me, I’m going to love it even more. I’ve got a different mindset now. I wouldn’t be somewhere I’m not meant to be, so I’m going to have lots of fun.”
So if you see Caity looking worse for wear on the telly tonight, you’ll know she’s having a hoot.
Perrie’s got an Ed start
ED SHEERAN never stops. Last year he put out two albums as he toured the globe on his Mathematics tour.
Now I can reveal the Song of the Year nominee has written Perrie Edwards’ debut solo single.
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And it seems Ed, was so confident Perrie would like it, he said on the call: “This is your first single.”
Perrie tweaked the lyrics before heading to a recording studio to lay down the track. The song is tipped for release in the coming weeks, with Perrie getting the video in the bag last month after spending three days filming it in Cape Town.
I had no doubt Perrie’s first release would be something special. But with Ed behind her, it’s a sure-fire hit.
Oooh goodie
CALVIN HARRIS and Tate McRae will be hitting up Nobu Hotel Portman Square in the capital to let their hair down after the bash.
The Little Mix star told fans during a Zoom call that the Shape Of You singer called her to offer up the track
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Their record label Sony Music is throwing a no-expense-spared celebration of their success, with high hopes for Calvin, who is up for three awards and will perform with Ellie Goulding.
At the party, guests will be treated to high-end food from Nobu as well as Laurent-Perrier champagne and cocktails.
Craig David, Switch Disco and DJ Semtex are rumoured to be on the decks.
To ease the hangovers, guests will get luxury goody bags including Sony wireless headphones, a designer bag and items from brands such as Iconic Hotels, Elemis and 111SKIN.
Warner is also dishing out the goods, with a Dr Haus Dermatology skin consultation and £1,000 discount of Ultherapy skin-tightening treatment, DKNY hat, digital camera that prints out your pictures and a Timex watch making up part of the £7,000 goodie bag at the NoMad Hotel in Covent Garden.
Guests at Universal will be treated to endless cocktails at London’s 180 Studios with Becky Hill, Stormzy and Noah Kahan on the list.
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JET-setter Becky Hill is finally back in the country after having to fly to Sweden to play her new album for label bosses. She shared this snap from Stockholm on Instagram before heading home to London ahead of the ceremony].
Becky is going for a hat-trick in the Dance category and will perform with Chase & Status.
She told me in an exclusive chat: “It will be difficult trying to top flying from the ceiling of the O2 last year
“But I can’t wait for everyone to see my performance with Chase & Status.
“It’ll be a real celebration of my favourite genre of music – drum and bass.”
THE CHARTS
SIR ROD STEWART and Jools Holland have pipped Scottish band The Snuts to No1 with their record Swing Fever.
On the singles charts, Beyonce is at the top for a second week, while Kamye West has scored his 22nd Top Ten single with Carnival, despite backlash against him.
SINGLES
1. Texas Hold ’Em – BEYONCE
2. Lose Control – TEDDY SWIMS
3. Beautiful Things – BENSON BOONE
4. Stick Season – NOAH KAHAN
5. End Of Beginning – DJO
6. Praise Jah In The Moonlight – YG MARLEY
7. Cruel Summer – TAYLOR SWIFT
8. Training Season – DUA LIPA
9. Carnival – KANYE WEST & TY DOLLA $IGN
10. Yes, And? – ARIANA GRANDE
ALBUMS
1. Swing Fever – ROD STEWART & JOOLS HOLLAND
2. Millennials – THE SNUTS
3. Stick Season – NOAH KAHAN
4. The Highlights – THE WEEKND
5. Thanks For Hating – POTTER PAYPER
6. Vultures 1 – KANYE WEST & TY DOLLA $IGN
7. Legend – BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS
8. Western Approaches – RED RUM CLUB
9. 1989 (Taylor’s Version) – TAYLOR SWIFT
10. Guts – OLIVIA RODRIGO
