Harry Styles thanks One Direction including Zayn after BRIT Awards success

11 February 2023 , 22:10

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Harry Styles fans couldn't contain themselves as the hitmaker thanked his former One Direction bandmates as he picked up a prestigious gong at the BRIT Awards.

The award-winning singer who is expected to walk away with all four of his nominations also appeared to take a swipe at the BRITs as he stated he was receiving the award on behalf of female artists.

While accepting the award, he said: "I want to thank my family for being the most supportive, understanding, patient, loving family I could have ever asked for.

"I want to thank my mum for signing me up for The X Factor without telling me, so I literally wouldn’t be here without you.

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Harry Styles whipped fans into a frenzy as he thanked his former One Direction bandmates (Dave J. Hogan/Getty Images)

"I want to thank Niall (Horan), Louis (Tomlinson), Liam (Payne) and Zayn (Malik) because I wouldn't be here without you either, thank you so much."

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After no female artist was nominated for the gender-neutral award, Harry added: "I'm very aware of my privilege up here tonight so this award is for Rina (Sawayama), Charli (XCX), Florence (+ The Machine), Mabel and Becky (Hill)."

Following his emotional speech, fans flocked to social media as they struggled to contain their emotions, with one writing: "Harry Styles won again for the best album of the year, Harry Styles thanked One Direction for everything they have done for him, HARRY STYLES IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN EVER #HarryStyles #BRITs."

Harry thanked all four of his former bandmates, Niall, Louis, Liam and Zayn (TV Grab)

"@Harry_Styles thanked @onedirection at the #BRITs. My heart is full," tweeted a second.

Before a third typed: "Nice of Harry Styles to acknowledge X Factor and the rest of One Direction tbh. Really nice. So many people forget where they started. #BRITs."

"By thanking all of them it's like they were all there tonight, so grateful to him #BRITs #harrystyles," added a fourth.

While a fifth typed: "Harry thanking the boys in his acceptance speech, has broken me in ways I never knew I could break #BRITs #HarryStyles."

Harry took away the award for Artist of the Year (Getty Images)

He also made a subtle swipe at the BRITs for not including women in the gender-neutral category (Getty Images)

Moments before heading onto the stage to accept his award, the voiceover for the event praised Harry for his stellar performance at Coachella and also hinted that he may be set to headline Glastonbury later this year.

Buzz for this year's event began last month thanks to the backlash surrounding the nominations for the Artist of the Year honour and the fact no women were put up for the award.

Fans were outraged to discover the category - won by Adele in 2022 - featured only male acts, with Harry, rapper Central Cee, DJ Fred again, and pop singers George Ezra and Stormzy.

Just 17.6% of artists originally shortlisted last year for Artist of the Year 2023 were women, and included Mabel, Florence and the Machine, Charli XCX, Becky Hill and Rina Sawayama - but none of the talented female stars made the final cut when the final nominations were announced on January 12.