Jack Whitehall has revealed that a comedy sketch involving Harry Styles was rejected as “inappropriate” ahead of this year’s BRIT Awards.
The comedian, 37, will return to host the ceremony for the sixth time when it relocates to Manchester’s Co-op Live on February 28, marking the first time in the awards’ 46-year history that it has been staged outside London.
However, Whitehall admitted that not all of his pre-written jokes and sketches made the cut, including one elaborate idea centred on the former One Direction star.
Appearing on The Jonathan Ross Show, he said he had been asked to submit ideas in advance, with some swiftly turned down.
“I had to send over a few ideas, because the first few I don’t think were appropriate,” he said.
“There was one that was me trekking for days to try and find him, and he’d been living in a hut, and he looked like Hagrid.
“And then it had me shaving him. It was maybe like a fantasy of mine, but that got a hard no from his team.”
Whitehall did not expand on which elements were deemed unsuitable, but made clear the sketch was rejected outright.
Styles is set to perform Aperture, the first single from his forthcoming fourth album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, during Saturday night’s ceremony.
The BRIT Awards’ move to Manchester represents a significant shift for the event, which has been based in London since its inception. After nearly five decades in the capital, organisers have said the relocation is intended to reach new audiences across the UK and shed its “London-centric” reputation.
Whitehall confirmed in December that he would remain as host despite the change of city. The comic has frequently fronted the ceremony since his first stint in 2018, becoming closely associated with its mix of irreverent humour and celebrity roasts.
Manchester holds particular significance for Whitehall, who studied at the University of Manchester and began performing stand-up in the city.
In a video shared to social media titled Ode to Manchester, he paid tribute to the city’s cultural landmarks, including the Curry Mile and Coronation Street.
“I am so excited to be coming back for this very special BRIT Awards in Manchester, a place that is so important to me,” he said.
“The city I started my comedy career in, it feels like a real full circle moment returning to host this historic night at the Co-op Live, a venue that is only a stone’s throw away from the comedy club I did my first 10-minute set in all those years ago.
“Hopefully I get a few more laughs than I did that night. I cannot wait.”
The ceremony will take place on Saturday, February 28, and will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. Manchester is also set to host the event again in 2027.
