TV interview
Even usually chilled Mo Gilligan is feeling the pressure as he prepares to host The BRITs
We can’t help but think The BRITs awards are going to be even more unpredictable than their usual surprising self this year, as for the first time the event will be held on a weekend, rather than midweek. Luckily, Mo Gilligan is back at the helm to steer the crazy world of music back to TV appropriate behaviour. After a star turn as host last year Mo, 34, is thrilled to be on stage at London’s O2 again.
The show has already proved controversial as the nominations for Best Artist this year include no female artists. Harry Styles and Stormzy are both nominated and are performing on the night, as are Lizzo, Sam TV interview Smith, Cat Burns and Wet Leg, among others.
How do you feel about being back on hosting duties for the The BRITs? I am looking forward to getting back and doing it all again. It feels like a massive honour. Hosting the BRITs last year was one of the most phenomenal moments of my life. I’ve been so honoured to get to know the incredible team behind the biggest night in music and so proud to bring our amazing audiences even closer to their favourite artists. I promise you, we’re going to go even bigger this year!
Can you pinpoint a favourite moment? The opening was awesome. How Ed Sheeran came out, people doing backflips and stuff, I was like, “Woah, it’s me who’s introducing him – is this really happening?!” It was quite a “full circle” thing; I remember when he first started on the show [performing Lego House in 2012] and James Corden was the host. I was a lot younger then. That was a moment I’ll never forget.
What are you like before getting on stage at such a massive event?
I’m quite chilled. Before I go on stage I like to take five minutes, read my script one last time. But you can practice as much as you like, it doesn’t count for anything. Once it goes out live anything can happen! When it’s all over you can enjoy it, you know what I mean? It’s a really fun gig to do. It takes a ton of amazing people to make an awards show and literally to be part of that is an incredible feeling… it took me about a week to take it all in!
You made a wish on Twitter in 2011 that you would be the host of either The Brits or The MOBOs. How did it feel last year when you looked out across the audience?
I looked around the room and you’ve got Adele there, Idris Elba’s over there. I’m seeing all these names and it was so humbling. It was the one time I felt like I was in the moment. I’m in the middle of it, and I’ve got the producers in my ear going, “OK, Mo, we’re gonna go live
