It is the biggest night of the year for British music.
But viewers of the 2025 BRIT Awards were left slightly distracted from the huge stars and electric performances, after spotting a long face in the crowd on Saturday night.
The awards ceremony attracted a host of big names, including Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and Jade Thirlwall, but none cause as much as a stir as a woman who arrived dressed as a horse.
The mysterious equestrian donned a draped red dress and an eerily realistic horse head mask, complete with ears.
Throughout the ceremony, the horse was sat at a table beside Danny Dyer, and caught the attention of many eagle-eyed viewers throughout the show.
Host Jack Whitehall even commented on the bizarre appearance at one point, as he came to chat to Danny, questioning why the actor had brought along a horse as his date.
Fans were left utterly perplexed over the sighting, while others couldn’t rein in their laughter at the outlandish scenes, quipping that it was footballer Jarrod Bowen under the mask or a shock reappearance by famous racehorse Shergar.
Viewers of the 2025 BRIT Awards were left slightly distracted from the huge stars and electric performances, after spotting a long face in the crowd on Saturday night
The awards ceremony attracted a host of big names, including Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX, but none cause as much as a stir as a woman who arrived dressed as a horse
Throughout the ceremony, the horse was sat at a table beside Danny Dyer, and caught the attention of many eagle-eyed viewers throughout the show
They took to X to write: guys i can’t stop literally crying laughing at the horse girl sat next to danny dyer’; ‘CAN WE PLEASE ADRESS THE HORSE IN THE ROOM’.
‘I thought I was tripping balls when I saw a HORSE sitting beside Danny Dyer’; ‘I AM DEAD AT HORSE GIRL NEXT TO DANNY DYER’.
‘We all seen someone dressed as a horse right?! RIGHT?!’; ‘Everyone else sees a horse sitting at a table at the brits right?’; ‘imagine the horse lady is jared bowen’.
‘Who in the right mind goes to the brits and thinks I’m gonna dress like a horse tonight’; ‘I’m glad Jack Whitehall said it because I thought I was going mad seeing a horse next to Danny Dyer’.
‘Danny Dyer trending because there was a horse sat next to him at the brits, is actually hilarious. But seriously I’m gonna need someone to explain!!’; ‘WHY IS DANNY DYER SAT NEXT TO A HORSE I AM DEAD’.
‘ I can’t believe Shergar has made a reappearance at the Brit Awards 2025. A bigger come back than Oasis surely?!’; ‘Someone please explain the horse -person to me please I’m too old for this’.
‘She was due to perform tonight, but her voice is a little horse’; ‘Danny Dyer swearing and being bleeped out when supposed to be live whilst sat next to someone dressed up as a horse’.
‘it’s highly likely danny dyer bringing a horse to the brit awards won’t even make the top five of weirdest things to happen tonight’; danny dyer of all people being sat next to that horse is so funny’.
The mysterious equestrian donned a draped red dress and an eerily realistic horse head mask, complete with ears (pictured posing with Maya Jama)
Host Jack Whitehall even commented on the bizarre appearance at one point, as he came to chat to Danny, questioning why the actor had brought along a horse as his date (pictured)
However, it was soon pointed out by fans that the woman in question was known other than a successful German DJ, known as HorsegiirL.
The DJ, producer and songwriter from Berlin wears an equine mask in public and keeps her real identity and name as secret.
Known as Stella to her friends, HorsegiirL is purposefully spelled with an extra ‘I’ and capital ‘L’ and she previously described herself as ‘half-horse, half-human’ who had been ‘discovered by Whitney Horston at a harvest fest’ as a teenager.
According to Horse And Hound, she represents ‘a new wave of electronic artists that prioritise the fun and kitschy, that counters the more serious approach that often permeates the electronic music scene’.
And her followers were quick to take to social media to set the record straight on HorsegiirL’s talents, while praising whoever had sat the DJ next to Danny.
They wrote: ‘straight people don’t know who horsegiirl is i’m literally shaking and crying’; ‘WHAT IS HORSEGIIRL DOING SAT WITH DANNY DYER WHAT THE HELL’.
‘the way people arent understanding horsegiirl at the brits.. please shes not a furry shes just protecting her privacy and its a persona let her LIVEE’; ‘obsessed with horsegiirl committing to the bit’
‘horsegiirl sat next to danny dyer is a generational moment’; ‘WHYYYY have they sat danny dyer and horsegiirl next to eachother im cackling’.
Fans were left utterly perplexed over the sighting, while others couldn’t rein in their laughter at the outlandish scenes, quipping that it was footballer Jarrod Bowen under the mask or a shock reappearance by famous racehorse Shergar
‘Danny Dyer definitely thinks HorsegiirL is Megan Thee Stallion’; ‘them sitting danny dyers next to horsegiirl at the brits i am screaming’.
‘not a fan of all the horsegiirl disrespect on my timeline’; ‘whoever sat danny dyer next to horsegiirl needs an award themselves’.
‘if a see one more tweet asking “whys there a horse there” am gonna go feral bc that is HORSEGIIRL put some respect on her name❤️’.
It’s not the first time that HorsegiirL has hit the headlines, after Radio 1 DJ Arielle Free was suspended after slamming one of her hits back in 2023.
The incident saw a worse for wear Arielle being pulled off air by Charlie Hedges during her live Dance Anthems broadcast, after she told Charlie she ‘hated’ the song she had just played – HorsegiirL’s track My Barn, My Rules.
Charlie then told Arielle to put down the mic, ‘have some respect’ and get out of her DJ booth.
All had seemed well at first when Arielle came on the show and said to Charlie: ‘Hi, yeah I sound great don’t I? as Charlie laughed, because Arielle was losing her voice.
‘You’ve sounded better,’ Charlie responded. ‘But it’s OK.’
However, it was soon pointed out by fans that the woman in question was known other than a successful German DJ, known as HorsegiirL
She wears an equine mask in public and keeps her real identity and name as secret and described herself as ‘half-horse, half-human’ who had been ‘discovered by Whitney Horston at a harvest fest’ as a teenager
Seeming out of sorts, Arielle insisted: ‘Well this is what happened. You play on Friday and you play on Saturday and then your voice just goes.’
She then suddenly added: ‘Can I be honest with you Charlie?… I expected better of you… ‘ with Charlie interjecting: ‘What? To sound better, like you?’
Arielle said back: ‘I don’t like this song,’ referring to My Barn, My Rules, causing Charlie to reply: ‘Oh really?’
Arielle admitted: ‘I hate it!… before interrupting further to say: ‘I’m sorrrryy.’
An outraged Charlie said: ‘Sorry I’m taking your mic down, it’s my show Arielle, have some respect please. See you later. Get out of here,’ ordering her out of the DJ booth.
A spokesman for Radio 1 told MailOnline: ‘Whilst we would not comment on individual matters, we have strict codes of behaviour for staff and presenters, and any breaches are taken extremely seriously.’
Arielle was subsequently taken off from hosting the radio station’s early breakfast show the following week.
The 2025 BRIT Awards ceremony was hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall, marking his fifth time at the helm of the event, after having previously presented the show in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
And her followers were quick to take to social media to set the record straight on HorsegiirL’s talents, while praising whoever had sat the DJ next to Danny
It’s not the first time that HorsegiirL has hit the headlines, after Radio 1 DJ Arielle Free was suspended after slamming one of her hits back in 2023 (pictured)
The star-studded event took place once again at London’s O2 Arena with the trophy this year designed by the talented Gabriel Moses.
The night featured massive performances from Ezra Collective and special guest Jorja Smith.
They joined an exciting lineup of acts including Jade Thirlwall, Sabrina Carpenter, Sam Fender, Lola Young, Teddy Swims, and The Last Dinner Party.
Charli XCX was originally set to perform but decided not to despite months of negotiations.
According to a close source, the decision comes as she shifted her focus toward preparing for the Grammy Awards, which took place earlier this month.
The pop singer led the 2025 BRIT Awards nominations with five nods, closely followed by Dua Lipa who had been recognised in four categories.
In the end, Charli’s smash hit album BRAT swept the board and took home all of the five awards she was nominated for.
The British singer, 32, whose No1 album became a cultural phenomenon last summer, took home Best Album, Artist of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best Dance Act and Best Song Writing.
Charli XCX led the winners at the 2025 BRIT Awards as her smash hit album BRAT swept the board and took home a whopping five awards on Saturday evening
Meanwhile in a shock to some, Jade Thirwall, 32, beat the Brat singer to be crowned Best Pop Act, making it the former Little Mix star’s first solo Brit
Charli’s incredible sweep mirrored Raye’s own triumph at last year’s ceremony which saw the 27-year-old made history after scooping a record breaking six gongs.
She made history when her No1 album Brat became a cultural phenomenon last summer along with the colour slime green as millions of fans showed their support by posting clips of Charli’s Apple Dance on TikTok.
Dua, 29, who is already the recipient of seven BRITs, went head-to-head against Charli for Song Of The Year with hit Training Season, Artist Of The Year, Pop Act, and Album Of The Year with Radical Optimism.
US superstar Taylor Swift, 35, battled it out with Billie Eilish in the International Artist Of The Year category, which also featured Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan, as well as for the International Song Of The Year accolade.
Sabrina landed her first BRIT when she scooped the special Global Success Award, presented by Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown, 21.
Thanking her UK fans American singer quipped that a ‘predominantly tea drinking country’ had ‘streamed the s***’ out of her smash hit track Espresso.
However the banger was pipped to the post for Best International Song Of The Year to Chappell Roan for her own catchy tune Good Luck, Babe.
The HOT TO GO singer, 27, later went on to beat the likes of Beyoncé and Billie Eilish to win Best International Artist.
BRIT Awards 2025: Winners at a glance
Artist of the year: Charli XCX
Album of the year: Charli XCX – Brat
Song of the year: Charli XCX featuring Billie Eilish – Guess
Best dance act: Charli XCX
Songwriter of the Year: Charli XCX
Best alternative/rock act: Sam Fender
Best hip-hop/grime/rap act: Stormzy
Best pop act: Jade
Best R&B act: Raye
Global Success Award: Sabrina Carpenter
Group of the year: Ezra Collective
Best new artist: The Last Dinner Party
International artist of the year: Chappell Roan
International group of the year: Fontaines D.C.
International song of the year: Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Rising star: Myles Smith
Producer of the Year: AG Cook
Following her racy performance to open the ceremony, Sabrina Carpenter, 25, also landed her first BRIT when she scooped the special Global Success Award
The winners of five genre awards – Alternative/Rock Act, Dance Act, Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act, Pop Act, R&B Act – were determined by a public vote exclusively through WhatsApp for the first time ever.
Sam Fender was announced as the winner for Alternative Rock Act for a second time.
It marks his third BRIT after winning the Rising Star Award (previously Critics’ Choice Award) in 2019 and Alternative Rock Act in 2022.
Accepting the award, he joked: ‘As you can tell I’m a little bit nervous, I’m nowhere near as drunk as last time.’
‘Massive thanks to the fans, we’ve got the best fans in the world. To everybody at home in Newcastle – love you.
‘Huge thanks to my band. Without them, I’m just a mad person shouting at the walls. Love yous all.’
Meanwhile in a shock to some, Jade Thirwall, 32, beat the Brat singer to be crowned Best Pop Act, making it the former Little Mix star’s first solo Brit.
In her own heartfelt speech, Jade thanked boyfriend Jordan Stephens and her ‘Little Mix sisters’ Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
Rising Star winner Myles Smith slammed the Government for treating the music industry like an ‘afterthought’ in his acceptance speech
Stormzy won his fourth BRIT after scooping the Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act as he took to the stage wearing shades
Gushing over her former bandmates she said: ‘I love you so much. I wouldn’t have this award without them. They changed my life and I am so grateful’.
Thanks to globally successful artists Central Cee, Stormzy, and Dave, British rap was well represented at this year’s awards.
Central Cee earned nods in the Song Of The Year category as well as Artist Of The Year, and Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act.
Stormzy won his fourth BRIT after scooping the Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act as he took to the stage wearing shades.
He said: ‘I think Central Cee was the best rap artist of year, but I am very grateful. This is a mad funny time for me to win an award.
‘I’m wearing shades because I’ve got a bruised cornea, I mashed my eye playing padel.’
The jazz quintet Ezra Collective, who won the Mercury prize in 2023, landed four nominations for Best New Artist, Group Of The Year, Alternative Rock Act and Album Of The Year for their body of work Dance, No One’s Watching.
Their biggest competition came from The Last Dinner Party who were also up for Best New Artist, Group Of The Year, Alternative Rock Act and Album Of The Year.
Following their own performance earlier in the evening, 2024 Rising Star Awards winners The Last Dinner Party won the much coveted Best New Artist.
Taking to the stage the fans gushed: ‘This is truly the biggest honour of our lives!’.
Ezra Collective were named the Group of the Year, and closed out the ceremony with their performance.
The BRIT Awards 2025: Winners
Song Of The Year
Artemas – I like the way you kiss me
The Beatles – Now and Then
Bl3ss & Camrin Watson Feat Bbyclose – Kisses
Central Cee ft. Lil Baby – BAND4BAND
Charli XCX – Guess ft. Billie Eilish – WINNER
Chase & Status ft. Stormzy – Backbone
Coldplay – Feels Like I’m Falling In Love
Dua Lipa – Training Season
Ella Henderson ft. Rudimental – Alibi
Jade Thirlwall – Angel Of My Dreams
Jordan Adetunji – KEHLANI
KSI ft. Trippie Redd – Thick Of It
Myles Smith – Stargazing
Sam Ryder – You’re Christmas to Me
Sonny Fodera, Jazzy, D.O.D – Somedays
Best New Artist
English Teacher
Ezra Collective
The Last Dinner Party – WINNER
Myles Smith
Rachel Chinouriri
Artist Of The Year
Beabadoobee
Central Cee
Charli XCX – WINNER
Dua Lipa
Fred again..
Jamie xx
Michael Kiwanuka
Nia Archives
Rachel Chinouriri
Sam Fender
Group Of The Year
Bring Me the Horizon
Coldplay
The Cure
Ezra Collective – WINNER
The Last Dinner Party
International Group Of The Year
Amyl and the Sniffers
Confidence Man
Fontaines D.C. – WINNERS
Future, Metro Boomin
Linkin Park
Dance Act promoted by Kiss
Becky Hill
Charli XCX – WINNER
Chase & Status
Fred again..
Nia Archives
Pop Act promoted by Capital
Charli XCX
Dua Lipa
Jade Thirlwall – WINNER
Lola Young
Myles Smith
Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act promoted by Capital Xtra
Central Cee
Dave
Ghetts
Little Simz
Stormzy – WINNER
R&B Act promoted by Kiss
Cleo Sol
Flo
Jorja Smith
Michael Kiwanuka
Raye – WINNER
Alternate Rock Act promoted by Absolute Radio
Beabadoobee
The Cure
Ezra Collective
The Last Dinner Party
Sam Fender – WINNER
International Artist Of The Year
Adrianne Lenker
Asake
Benson Boone
Beyoncé
Billie Eilish
Chappell Roan – WINNER
Kendrick Lamar
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift
Tyler, The Creator
International Song Of The Year
Benson Boone – Beautiful Things
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ‘Em
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe! – WINNER
Djo – End of Beginning
Eminem – Houdini
Hozier – Too Sweet
Jack Harlow – Lovin On Me
Noah Kahan – Stick Season
Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight
Teddy Swims – Lose Control
Tommy Richman – Million Dollar Baby
Mastercard Album Of The Year
Charli XCX – Brat – WINNER
The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
Dua Lipa – Radical Optimism
Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching
The Last Dinner Party – Prelude To Ecstasy