BRITAIN’S BEST TV LISTINGS

Robbie Williams and Ed Sheeran perform, while Bowie’s nominated twice – no wonder presenter Dermot O’Leary says this year’s BRITs will be unmissable...

Our unbeatable, easy-to-follow 52-page guide steers you through the TV maze and features a special preview of this week’s BRIT Awards

This is an event that promises thrills, possibly some unscripted spills, superb live performances… and an ocean of tears. The BRIT Awards 2017, hosted by Dermot O’Leary and Emma Willis from London’s O2 Arena on Wednesday night, will celebrate a brilliant 12 months of British music – but a sad one too.

‘ We lost one of our greatest- ever musicians, David Bowie, and of course we will be thinking about him on Wednesday night,’ says Dermot, who is hosting the show for the first time.

In Dermot’s and Emma’s thoughts too will be Canadian singer Michael Bublé who was set to host the BRITs but pulled out following his three-yearold son Noah’s diagnosis with cancer.

‘ Every part of me sends love to Michael and his family at such a difficult time,’ says Emma, best known for hosting Big Brother and The Voice UK. ‘I was relishing watching him present the BRITs – I hope we do him proud.’

Dermot, who was drafted in with Emma last month, had no hesitation in saying ‘yes’, but admits he’s nervous. ‘Michael’s patent shoes will not be easy to fill. He’s very talented and an effortless showman. I’m just thankful I’ve been paired with Emma – I’m a big fan.

‘The event itself is a tough challenge. It’s an iconic show, the holy grail for a broadcaster, but it’s live and, of course, things can go wrong, there’s an element of unpredictability about it.’

And there have been quite a few memorable moments for all the wrong reasons. Presenters Samantha Fox and Mick Fleetwood made a hash of it after they were let down by a failing autocue in 1989, Jarvis Cocker invaded the stage to protest about Michael Jack- son’s overblown performance of Earth Song in 1996 and Madonna fell backwards down a flight of stairs in 2015. Russell Brand drew 300 complaints in 2007 when he peppered his hosting duties with off- colour remarks about the Queen and the Iraq War.

But Dermot, who hosts The X Factor and National Television Awards, says tough competition means everyone should be focused on the awards this year. ‘All the categories are hard to call and the performances on the night should be amazing,’ he says.

Ed Sheeran, a BRIT winner four times, will be performing as will Robbie Williams, who has won more BRITs, 18, than any other artist ever. Also on the bill will be girl band Little Mix – X Factor winners in 2011 – Scottish soul singer Emeli Sandé, Manchester indie-rockers The 1975, Amer-

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