Lily Allen gets last laugh as David Harbour revenge album sweeps Brit nominations

Lily Allen’s West End Girl is the gift that keeps on giving as she secures three nominations in this year’s Brit Awards, including for album of the year.

Fans predicted her comeback album, which documents the demise of her marriage to David Harbour, would be a shoo-in for awards season after it dominated charts.

West End Girl, which is also being turned into a stage show, has earned Lily a nod for album of the year, artist of the year and fan-voted category best pop act.

Despite being nominated eight times previously, the Not Fair hitmaker has only won one Brit Award so far, taking home British female solo artist in 2010. Could 2026’s show change that?

Lily’s not the only female artist making waves this year, with a whopping 70% of nominees made up of female and nonbinary artists.

Breakthrough artists Olivia Dean and Lola Young lead the charge with five nominations each, including both women competing with Lily for artist of the year.

Fred Again, Dave and Sam Fender are the only men in the major category, with the likes of Little Simz, Self Esteem, Jade, and Pink Pantheress all up for the big win.

Newly solo Jade is also in the mix for pop act, following her stellar performance at the ceremony last year; however, her album That’s Showbiz, Baby! has missed out.

Taking the five slots for album of the year alongside West End Girl are Dave’s The Boy Who Played The Harp, Sam Fender’s People Watching, Wolf Alice’s The Clearing and Olivia’s The Art of Loving.

Geordie Sam is the third most nominated this year after his Mercury Prize win on his home turf, with four nods across the biggest categories.

This year also marks a triumph for Britpop icons Pulp as they secured their first nomination since 1996 in the group category.

Three decades ago, their album Different Class saw them nominated for best group, album of the year, single of the year, and music video — but didn’t land any wins.

Famously, the battle of Britpop saw Oasis’ What’s The Story (Morning Glory) take home the best album trophy as they defeated Blur … and Pulp.

International artist slots are filled by familiar names like Taylor Swift as well as Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Bad Bunny and the iconic CMAT.

CMAT made Brits history when she arrived in a bum-baring dress in 2024, cementing herself as a legend at the ceremony.

In one more shocking nomination, Scouse rapper EsDee Kid, who was accused of being Timothée Chalamet in disguise, has also been nominated.

He’s battling it out with Lola, Barry Can’t Swim, Jim Legxacy, and Skye Newman for breakthrough artist.

The award for Critics’ Choice, also known as Rising Star, has already been given to Jacob Alon, who also impressed at the Mercury Prize this year.

Their debut album, In Limerance, is a folksy ode to youth and their hometown of Dunfermline in Fife.

Jacob said of the win: ‘Taing mhòr to the critics for recognising my work for this award, you absolute dotes!

‘In the wee town where I grew up in Scotland, it often felt like there was a limit to how high you could dare to dream. So being part of something like this makes me feel like I’m floating far above the sky.

‘In a world full of broken and rusted jaggy edges, I’m grateful to find a place for softness still. And I will keep fighting for it. I really care about and believe in this music, and it makes my world brighter every time it reaches someone else.

‘Hopefully, this means some more beautiful people might find something in my album. Thank you to anyone who has ever listened.’

The Brit Award ceremony is set to air on Saturday, February 28, on ITV.

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