BRITs host Jack Whitehall takes aim at disgraced Andrew in 'succession' joke that left crowds cheering - after Peter Mandelson dig was censored

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BRIT Awards host Jack Whitehall's joke about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor left audiences delighted last night.  

Jack, 37, returned as host for the first time since 2021 and didn't pull any punches as he joked about the awards show moving to Manchester, the controversy-filled BAFTAs, and Peter Mandelson. 

He also snuck in a quip about disgraced former prince Andrew following his arrest during an investigation into misconduct in public office. 

As Jack called James Blunt and Love Island host Maya Jama to the stage to present the award for Artist of the Year, he described the musician as 'the only man posher than me at the BRITs'. 

He delivered the punchline as Jack quipped James 'was about 30th in line to the throne...might be 29th soon' amid calls for Andrew to be removed from the line of succession. 

The audience then burst into applause before Maya and James announced Olivia Dean as the winner in the category. 

Andrew is facing allegations that he sent confidential government documents to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while working as a trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.

Emails released by the US Department of Justice in January appear to show him sharing reports of official visits to the paedophile.

Andrew, who turned 66 on the day of his arrest, has previously denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and has publicly said he regrets their friendship.

His ties to the convicted sex offender forced him to step down from his royal duties, and he was stripped of his royal patronages in January 2022.

BRIT Awards host Jack Whitehall's joke about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor left audiences delighted last night

The disgraced former royal was arrested during an investigation into misconduct in public office

Bad Education star Jack, who returned to host the BRITs after a five-year gap, also took aim at Peter Mandelson - although his joke about the disgraced former Labour grandee was censored during the live broadcast. 

During the ceremony at Manchester's Co-Op Arena, Jack made a dig about Mandelson - who was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office - while speaking to mayor Andy Burnham. 

He joked about how the BRITs is 'the only party Andy is allowed into these days', mocking the fact that prime minister Keir Starmer is blocking Andy from running as an MP for the Labour party.

Jack referenced Mandelson's name in the Epstein Files, by saying: 'I think I saw Peter Mandelson on the list, oh no, sorry that's another list!'

However, the joke didn't make it past ITV censors as viewers watching the ceremony at home heard bird noise over Jack's comments. 

Despite being cut from the ITV broadcast, the joke was still shared on the BRIT Awards' Instagram.

The disgraced former minister was arrested last week following allegations he leaked sensitive information to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary.

While Jack's witty one-liners initially went down a treat, viewers at home later criticised the host for 'punching down on Manchester' as the night progressed. 

He was accused of making digs at the working class during the ceremony, with the funnyman joking about an audience member's suit, which he claimed was made of low-quality material.

Jack also addressed the BRITs moving to Manchester, calling the city the 'G spot of the North' as well as Oasis reuniting as cameras focused on Noel Gallagher in the arena.

The comedian joked it had been a 'great year for Manchester's drug dealers' before Noel, 58, burst out in laughter.

In another apparent swipe, Jack said the city's idea of black tie was the fashion brand Stone Island, which is known for its casualwear.

Some X users later criticised Jack for making 'classist' jokes, while others pointed out the irony of the Mancunian being asked to host the awards 'and then proceeding to sh** on Manchester all night'. 

Jack returned to present the ceremony for the sixth time, having previously hosted the event in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2025.

He stepped away in 2022 when Mo Gilligan took over for two ceremonies, and Maya Jama, Roman Kemp, and Clara Amfo co-hosted the event together in 2024.

It was his first time presenting in Manchester, and Jack credits the city as shaping his early comedy career after he studied at the University Of Manchester.

After Saturday's show, BRITs viewing figures dropped to their lowest ever as the biggest awards ceremony in British music drew 2.1 million viewers. 

This is a drop of over one million since it was moved to a coveted Saturday night slow in 2023. 

However, Saturday evening's viewing figures do not include ITVX streaming or access to the show via YouTube.

In 2024 and 2025, the show averaged around 2.5 million viewers, which is still 400,000 more than it managed to pull last night.