22:26

The era of #BritsSoWhite is long gone: with awards for Stormzy, Mabel and Dave, black British talent is finally getting the credit it deserves – and not just in specialist categories, but as the pop game-changer it truly is. On the 40th anniversary of the Brits, it’s welcome proof that these creaky old establishments really can change.

So they’ve no excuse for their continued under-recognition of female artists: outside of the specific categories for best British and international female, and Celeste’s award for rising star (which was announced in December) no women won in the four mixed gender categories tonight. It was disappointing not to see more artists take a stand about that as they gave out and collected awards tonight, though slivers of discontent crept in.

Still, the moments that will be making headlines tomorrow all concern protests that reach far beyond the music industry: Dave’s ad libs in Black about Grenfell, the Windrush generation, reparations and the media’s treatment of Meghan Markle offered the evening’s most explosive moment. Amidst his highlighting of injustice, there was gleeful pleasure in seeing Tyler, the Creator taunt Theresa May – who as home secretary banned him from entering Britain for five years – about finally being back here, and back on top.