Robbie Williams to Lead All-Star Tribute as BRITs Honor Late Metal Legend Ozzy

Ozzy Osbourne will receive the BRITs Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's ceremony, with an all-star rock tribute performance set to cap off the night in Manchester. The iconic metal frontman, who passed away last year, will be remembered through a special arrangement featuring some of the most respected musicians from his storied career.

The BRITs take place February 28 at Manchester's Co-op Live, marking the first time in the awards' 50-year history that the ceremony moves outside London. Robbie Williams will front the tribute, having been personally invited by Ozzy's wife and manager Sharon Osbourne. According to organizers, Williams was chosen as "a long-standing fan of the music, and friend of the Osbourne family."

The performance pulls together musicians who've shared the stage with Ozzy throughout his decades-long solo career: Adam Wakeman, Robert Trujillo, Tommy Clufetos, and Zakk Wylde will all participate. They'll perform a special rendition of "No More Tears," the title track from Ozzy's 1991 platinum-selling album.

Sharon Osbourne curated the entire tribute herself, ensuring the arrangement captured what made her late husband such a transformative force in rock music. "Ozzy Osbourne has been a mighty force in modern music," said Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee. "Possessing an unmistakable voice and unique presence, he reshaped the sound and spirit of rock, inspiring generations of artists who followed. This Lifetime Achievement Award recognises a remarkable legacy built on originality and enduring influence, that continues to connect with fans worldwide."

Ozzy's final performance came just weeks before his death, when Black Sabbath closed out their "Back To The Beginning" farewell show at Villa Park in Birmingham. Sharon recently revealed that Ozzy was aware of his declining health leading up to that final gig but refused to let it stop him. "Two weeks before the show, they said he could probably die, and he did. But he wanted to do it so bad," she told the Dumb Blonde podcast. "He needed it. And [he was] like, 'Whether I die in two weeks or I die in six months, I'm still dying. And I want to go my way.' And he did. He went like a rock star."

The metal pioneer had battled sepsis earlier that year, an experience that forced him to reckon with his mortality. "When he came out [of hospital], they said, 'You know, Ozzy, this could kill you.' And he said, 'I'm doing my show.' He went out like a king," Sharon shared.

This year's BRITs lineup already features major performances from Harry Styles, Wolf Alice, Rosalía, Mark Ronson, Olivia Dean, and Audrey Nuna. Jack Whitehall returns as host for the sixth consecutive year. The ceremony broadcasts on ITV1, with performances shared globally on YouTube.