Comedian Jack Whitehall has been announced as the presenter of the upcoming 2026 Brit Awards – and he’s bound to be winding up the biggest names in music.
The 37-year-old has hosted the event in London for five non-consecutive years and will now anchor the first ceremony outside the capital in 50 years at the Co-op Live venue on February 28.
Olivia Dean and Lola Young are the most nominated acts with five each, while Pulp have scored their first nomination in 30 years, in the best group category.
Lily Allen, whose album West End Girl caused a stir when it was released last year, is nominated in three categories – for best album, artist of the year, and pop act.
Discussing his presenting gig, Whitehall said: ‘I am so excited to be coming back for this very special Brit Awards in Manchester, a place that is so important to me.
‘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.’
Born in London, Whitehall studied at the University Of Manchester before moving into comedy, going on to star in shows such as Bad Education, Fresh Meat and various programmes with his father Michael Whitehall.
He often uses his experiences with his girlfriend, Roxy Horner, in his standup material. But what do we know about their relationship?
Who is Roxy Horner?
Horner is an Essex-born model who made her Vogue debut when she was just 17 years old and has led campaigns for brands such as Boohoo, Quiz and Boux Avenue.
She’s also modelled for the likes of Victoria’s Secret, Max Factor and Pandora.
Horner previously dated singer Jake Bugg for two years before Jack and was once linked to Leonardo DiCaprio.
In 2021 she was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes after being hospitalised.
‘I had been speaking to the doctors about how unwell I had been feeling. I remember a specific phone call I made to my doctor before I ended up in hospital. I was in bed for days crying just feeling awful and not knowing why, I just felt like I was going to die,’ she told Marie Claire.
‘I ended up taking myself to A&E in the end, which is where I was diagnosed.’
Horner has hailed Whitehall as her ‘rock’ through her diagnosis.
How long have Jack Whitehall and Roxy Horner been dating?
The pair went public and made their romance official at the start of lockdown in the UK in 2020 when she moved into his London home.
Jack previously admitted that although the decision to move in together ‘accelerated’ their relationship, they did miss out on doing ordinary things like restaurant and cinema dates.
Speaking on the Couples Quarantine podcast, he said: ‘Weirdly that was quite nice because we spent a lot of time together and it accelerates the relationship in a way.’
In May 2023, Horner announced she and Whitehall were expecting their first child on Instagram. In September of that year, their daughter, Elsie, was born.
‘Well, this just happened!’ Whitehall wrote at the time. ‘Utterly overwhelming and joyous in ways I couldn’t have even imagined. In awe of my partner @roxyhorner who has been amazing throughout this journey and is going to be the greatest mum ever.
‘So excited to have started a family of my own. Having vowed I’ve never be that guy I am now 100% going to be the parent that shows everyone endless pictures of their kid. I also wore sketchers to hospital, I think I must accept I am a full-blown dad now.’
When are the Brit Awards 2026?
This year’s Brits will take place at the Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
How to watch
The ceremony will be aired on ITV that same night from 8.15pm
Wedding bells are now ringing for the couple, who announced their engagement in December 2024.
Sharing some sweet snaps from the moment Jack popped the question, the couple look overjoyed after becoming fiancees.
A source told The Sun that the pair were going into Christmas as ‘an engaged couple’. They added: ‘They could not be happier together and are looking forward to planning their wedding.’
What do we know about their wedding?
Details of their upcoming wedding haven’t been shared by the couple, but Horner sparked rumours that the ceremony could be soon after sharing a video of herself trying on dresses.
In November 2025, the bride-to-be shared a video montage of her trying on numerous wedding gowns, captioning the clip: ‘Come wedding dress shopping with me.’
On a recent appearance on The Jonathan Ross show, Whitehall also couldn’t hide his excitement about tying the knot.
He said: ‘I’m very excited – it’s going to be great. It’s the first time our families are ever coming together.
‘I’ve met her family, but my family have not met her family. ‘My family, and it will come as no surprise to you, are a bunch of gilet wearing chinless toffs and her family are proper cockney, all West Ham fans, proper salt of the earth.’
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