This year's Brit awards was the usual cringe-worthy affair, with even Ant and Dec failing to eradicate the memories of James Corden's reign in the vast soulless hangar that is the O2 Arena. It was the usual mix of "oh look it's Ed Sheeran!", dodgy presenting slots and predictable winners though one moment - one priceless moment - almost made it all worth it.

MadonnaMadonna before being yanked off-stage at the Brit awards

In the concluding minutes of the show, Madonna, the Queen of Pop, took to the stage to give her first Brits performance in two decades. However, just seconds into Living for Love, things went very, very wrong. The 56-year-old was clearly struggling to untie her lengthy black cape though the dancers tasked with pulling the garment off-stage carried on regardless, resulting in Madge being flipped backwards down a flight of stairs into a crumpled poppy mess. 

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Nevertheless, Madge, looking a little confused, confused her performance and appeared to blurt out the lyrics, "I will carry on" with added significance. Maybe.

Anyway, later on social media, Madonna told followers, "Armani hooked me up! My beautiful cape was tied too tight! But nothing can stop me and love really lifted me up! Thanks for your good wishes! I'm fine! #livingforlove."

Elsewhere at the ceremony, Sam Smith won the Breakthrough prize award and a special Global success award given to those with the biggest international sales. Ed Sheeran won Best British Male and Best British Album. 

James Bay was named the Brits Critics Choice, while Royal Blood were crowned Best British Group.

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