Love Island star Molly Marsh shares that she feels the happiest she has ever been, arriving at the 2026 BRIT Awards red carpet just as her ex-boyfriend Zachariah Noble prepares to welcome his first child.
Molly appeared radiant in a dramatic gold caped gown at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. She stated: “Really good you know, I think I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, so I’m in a really good place at the moment.”
Looking ahead, she added: “I would say, strength within myself mentally and physically and making my friends and family happy.”
Zachariah Noble’s Baby Announcement
Zachariah, 28, recently shared a baby scan on social media, announcing his impending fatherhood with girlfriend Ava Hirons. The couple, who started dating three months after Zachariah and Molly’s July split, posted sweet photos alongside their dog, captioned: “Incoming summer ’26.”
Ava, daughter of This Morning star Caroline Hirons, reposted content on pregnancy fitness training the same day.
Molly and Zachariah met on season 10 of Love Island in 2023, dating for two years and moving in together before parting ways. Molly previously described the breakup as an “emotional, challenging, and deeply personal” period during an appearance at the National Television Awards.
BRIT Awards 2026 Moves to Manchester
The 46th BRIT Awards launch at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena for the first time, marking a shift from London’s O2 Arena. Organizers plan to rotate locations across the UK moving forward.
Comedian Jack Whitehall hosts for the sixth time, crediting Manchester for kickstarting his career. He shared: “I am so excited to be coming back for this very special BRIT Awards in Manchester… it feels like a real full circle moment.”
The ceremony features 70 percent female or non-binary nominations, addressing past criticism over gendered categories.
Top Nominees
Lola Young and Olivia Dean lead with five nominations each. Lola Young, 24, reacted: “Five BRIT nominations, how is this even possible?… this means so much to me.”
Olivia Dean, 26, who achieved the UK’s first No. 1 single and album by a woman in the same week since Adele in 2021, will perform. She said: “To go from being a student of The BRIT School in the crowd to being a performer 10 years later is really crazy.”
Lily Allen earns three nods for her album West End Girl, chronicling her marriage’s end to David Harbour.
British rapper Dave secures three nominations for The Boy Who Played The Harp, the first UK rap album to debut at No. 1 three times. Raye, last year’s record six-award winner, gets one nod and will perform.
Ozzy Osbourne Lifetime Achievement Tribute
The late Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne receives the Lifetime Achievement Award. A rock tribute closes the show, led by Robbie Williams with Zakk Wylde, Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo, and Tommy Clufetos, performing “No More Tears.”
Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee, stated: “Ozzy Osbourne has been a mighty force in modern music… This Lifetime Achievement Award recognises a remarkable legacy.”
Ozzy passed away at 76 in July 2025 from cardiac issues.
Key Quotes from Organizers
Jason Iley, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK & Ireland, noted: “Moving to Manchester… will invigorate the show.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham called it a “massive coup,” highlighting the region’s music heritage.
BRIT Awards 2026: Nominations in Full
Artist of the Year
- Dave
- Fred Again…
- JADE
- Lily Allen
- Little Simz
- Lola Young
- Olivia Dean
- PinkPantheress
- Sam Fender
- Self Esteem
Group of the Year
- The Last Dinner Party
- Pulp
- Sleep Token
- Wet Leg
- Wolf Alice
Song of the Year (Public Vote)
- Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas – Blessings
- Chrystal and Notion – The Days (Notion remix)
- Cynthia Erivo ft Ariana Grande – Defying Gravity
- Ed Sheeran – Azizam
- Fred Again, Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax – Victory Lap
- Lewis Capaldi – Survive
- Lola Young – Messy
- Myles Smith – Nice to Meet You
- Olivia Dean – Man I Need
- Raye – Where Is My Husband!
- Sam Fender with Olivia Dean – Rein Me In
- Skye Newman – Family Matters
International Song of the Year (Public Vote)
- Alex Warren – Ordinary
- Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club
- Disco Lines and Tinashe – No Broke Boys
- Gigi Perez – Sailor Song
- Gracie Abrams – That’s So True
- Huntr/x – Golden
- Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
- Rayvn Lenae – Love Me Not
- Rosé and Bruno Mars – APT.
- Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
- sombr – Undressed
- Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Other categories include International Artist, Breakthrough Artist, Alternative/Rock Act, Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act, R&B Act, Dance Act, and Mastercard Album of the Year, featuring artists like Bad Bunny, Chappell Roan, Central Cee, and more.
