Brit Awards 2018: Damon Albarn Slams Brexit In Chaotic Gorillaz Acceptance Speech

It's like the 90s all over again. But with more Brexit.
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Damon Albarn made this year’s Brits feel like the awards show’s golden years again, as he provided a couple of minutes of chaos during his acceptance speech.

During Wednesday’s (21 February) ceremony, the Britpop singer took to the stage to accept the award for Best British Group prize on behalf of his project, Gorillaz, where it appeared he’d taken full advantage of the refreshments on offer.

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Dave J Hogan via Getty Images

Following a video message from Gorillaz’s “lead singer” 2-D, Damon told Brits viewers: “I’ve got one thing to say and it’s about this country. This country is a small, little thing.

“It’s part of a beautiful world but… uh… all I wanna say is don’t let it become isolated, don’t let ourselves become cut off, you know?”

Seemingly alluding to Brexit, he continued: “Considering our size we do incredible things in music, you know what I mean? Don’t let politics get in the way of all that shit. Right?”

The camera then cut back to presenter Jack Whitehall, at which point Damon was heard continuing off-screen: “I just want to say... oh it’s been cut off.”

Confusingly, we were then treated to more speeches, before Jack Whitehall returned to view, commenting: “Oh I really didn’t want this to be an Adele moment. I’d have let them talk all night if it was up to me.”

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Dave J Hogan via Getty Images

Whispering to camera, he joked: “I think he was talking about Brexit.”

This wasn’t the only noteworthy exchange during the 2018 Brits, though, with Jack Whitehall’s conversations with both Cheryl Tweedy and Little Mix getting viewers talking for different reasons.

Brit Awards 2018 Red Carpet
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole attend The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Dua Lipa attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Ed Sheeran attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** Singer Rita Ora attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Stormzy arrives in an Audi for the BRIT Awards at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Audi UK) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** (L to R) Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jesy Nelson and Perrie Edwards of Little Mix attend The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Kylie Minogue attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** Justin Timberlake attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Maya Jama attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Stefflon Don attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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British singer-songwriter Sam Smith poses on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2018 in London on February 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMEN / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO POSTERS NO MERCHANDISE NO USE IN PUBLICATIONS DEVOTED TO ARTISTS (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images)
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Paloma Faith attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
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Caroline Flack attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Holly Willoughby attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Rag N Bone Man attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** (2ndL-R) Jennifer Hudson, Tom Jones and Olly Murs attend The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** Jessie Ware attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Emma Bunton attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Nile Rodgers attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** Calvin Harris attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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Roman Kemp attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Jess Glynne attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Phillip Schofield attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Alesha Dixon attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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British indie rock band 'Wolf Alice', Ellie Rowsell (2nd R), Joff Oddie, Theo Ellis, and Joel Amey pose on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2018 in London on February 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMEN / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO POSTERS NO MERCHANDISE NO USE IN PUBLICATIONS DEVOTED TO ARTISTS (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Clara Amfo attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** Anne Marie and Grace Chatto of Clean Bandit attend The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** MNEK attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Jo Whiley attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Pixie Lott and Oliver Cheshire attend The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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Professor Green attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
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British rock band 'Royal Blood', Mike Kerr (R) and Ben Thatcher (L) pose on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2018 in London on February 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMEN / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO POSTERS NO MERCHANDISE NO USE IN PUBLICATIONS DEVOTED TO ARTISTS (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Abbey Clancy attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** Nicola Roberts attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Amber Davies attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Maher/FilmMagic) (credit:Joe Maher via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Ellie Goulding arrives in an Audi for the BRIT Awards at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Audi UK) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Conor Maynard attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Rosie Huntington-Whiteley attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Gemma Atkinson attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Tom Walker attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Fleur East attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018*** Tallia Storm attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Myleene Klass attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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British singer-songwriter Anne-Marie poses on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2018 in London on February 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMEN / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO POSTERS NO MERCHANDISE NO USE IN PUBLICATIONS DEVOTED TO ARTISTS (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images)
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Spanish-born singer-songwriter Mabel poses on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2018 in London on February 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMEN / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO POSTERS NO MERCHANDISE NO USE IN PUBLICATIONS DEVOTED TO ARTISTS (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Jorja Smith attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Tom Grennan attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) (credit:Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images)
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Marvin Humes attending the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena, London. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Hailey Baldwin attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Louisa Johnson attends The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)