Brit Award attendees have flocked to social media to reveal exactly what comedian and host Jack Whitehall said to Labour politicians Andy Burnham and Lisa Nandy during Saturday’s show.
For the first time ever, the Brits headed to Manchester, so it was fitting that the city’s mayor, Mr Burnham, joined the Culture Secretary to enjoy the evening.
And the political pair were treated to a number of show-stopping performances, including sets from Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, and Rosalia, among others.
They also got to witness firsthand a number of the swipes Mr Whitehall had in store for some of the attendees, although they may have hoped he didn’t include them on his hit list.
Brit Awards 2026: Jack Whitehall had his gag towards Lisa Nandy and Andy Burnham censored
|
ITV
An hour or so into Saturday’s Brit Awards, Mr Whitehall left the stage and began to mingle among the star-studded attendees at the tables below.
“I saw Calvin Harris over there. Who else have we got?” Mr Whitehall said as he began to scan the crowd before having his attention piqued by the politicians.
“Oh! Oh, my God, it’s Andy Burnham. Yes! Legend,” the comedian remarked as the audience in the Co-op Live applauded.
Spotting the chance to mock the Manchester Mayor’s rather fraught relationship with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Whitehall quipped: “The only party he’s allowed into these days.”
Brit Awards 2026: Jack Whitehall with Lisa Nandy and Andy Burnham
|
ITV
Mr Burnham let out a laugh before Mr Whitehall moved on to the Culture Secretary.
“And Lisa Nandy! Lisa Nandy – this must be the politicians’ table,” he said as Ms Nandy smiled along. “I wonder who else is here.”
Mr Whitehall then delivered a joke that wiped the smile off of Ms Nandy’s face as she began to shake her head.
However, ITV viewers were none the wiser as to what the joke was as the broadcaster cut Mr Whitehall’s microphone feed and replaced it with background noise.
Brit Awards 2026: Andy Burnham laughed at Whitehall’s first joke
|
ITV
Inevitably, fans watching at home flooded social media, desperate for answers as to what the gag was that prompted such a response from Ms Nandy.
Now, it’s been reported by attendees that Mr Whitehall said to the Labour pair: “I think I saw Peter Mandelson on the list… Oh wait, that was another list.”
The gag drew laughter once again from attendees, and X users quickly shared their thoughts on Mr Whitehall’s political gag.
“Jack Whitehall and his writing team are phenomenal at what is undoubtedly a very difficult gig,” one X user praised. “Shame this got censored but his joke just before to Andy Burnham that the BRITs is the ‘only party he’s allowed in these days’ was equally as good #BRITs.”
Brit Awards 2026: Lisa Nandy was also shown smiling along
|
ITV
A second also applauded: “Jack Whitehall picking out Andy Burnham at the Manchester #BRITs, the only party he’s allowed in! Quite funny for him.”
“Lisa Nandy writing to ITV to complain whilst being a part of it #Brits,” a third mocked, while a fourth weighed in: “Jack Whitehall with the sharpest dig of the night, that Mandelson line landed perfectly.”
And a fifth commented: “Not Jack Whitehall casually dropping a ‘list’ joke at the BRITs… dark humor on live TV is a dangerous sport and he knows it.” (sic)
The gag from Mr Whitehall wasn’t the only one to send social media into somewhat of a frenzy during Saturday’s show.
“This must be the politician’s table, I wonder who else is here. I think I saw Peter Mandelson on the list- oh wait sorry that was another list”
— Jack Whitehall during the #BRITs pic.twitter.com/4MgKCnAgPW
— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 28, 2026
Early on in the ceremony, Mr Whitehall couldn’t resist mocking the saga that has engulfed the BBC this week following last Sunday’s Baftas.
After the BBC failed to censor a tic by Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson, it launched a “fast-tracked” investigation into how an involuntary racial slur made it into the broadcast.
“It is the Brits, things get a bit raucous,” Mr Whitehall said to viewers down the camera.
“There may be some swearing, but don’t worry, we’ve got the best in the business on the beep button tonight. It’s the guy who did the Baftas, nothing gets past him, he’s like Donnarumma.”
Lord Mandelson was the target of one of Whitehall’s jokes at the Brits
| GETTY
ITV’s censoring of live speech during the broadcast also caused controversy on the night.
After the band Geese won International Group of the Year, lead singer Max Bassin took to the stage with a politically charged speech.
“I just want to say, Free Palestine, F*** Ice, go Geese,” the singer said.
However, ITV cut his feed after just a few words and before his political stances could be broadcast to millions at home, an editing decision that sparked uproar among pro-Palestine supporters.