The Brit Awards 2000 Were The Most Iconic (And Chaotic) Ever

They made this year's ceremony look about as wild as the Antiques Roadshow.
HuffPost UK

Over the last four decades, the Brit Awards have gifted us countless pop culture moments, from stunning performances to unscheduled chaotic scenes.

But when it comes to Brits mayhem, one ceremony stands out head and shoulders above the others – and that just happens to be the first one of the new millennium.

In the year 2000, the awards show really brought it, making headlines for amazing performances, some awkward on-stage exchanges and yes, even a stage invasion.

On the 20th anniversary of the occasion, we’re taking a look back at the big night, and what made it one of the most iconic Brit Awards there has ever been...

Let’s start with the red carpet, where looks included this...

Denise Van Outen
Denise Van Outen
Michael Crabtree - PA Images via Getty Images

This...

Carol Vorderman
Carol Vorderman
Richard Young/Shutterstock

And indeed this...

Caprice
Caprice
PA

Our favourite outfit on the night was probably Kylie Minogue’s, just a few months before she’d return to the top of the charts with Spinning Around

Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
JM Enternational/Shutterstock

And while we’d love to say Norman Cook and Zoe Ball were the hottest couple on the red carpet...

Zoe Ball and her then-husband Norman Cook, aka. Fatboy Slim
Zoe Ball and her then-husband Norman Cook, aka. Fatboy Slim
Richard Young/Shutterstock

...That honour realistically has to go to these two

Dale Winton and Kate Thornton
Dale Winton and Kate Thornton
Michael Crabtree - PA Images via Getty Images

The whole night was hosted by Davina McCall, again just a few months before she’d begin the biggest presenting gig of her career, hosting Big Brother

Davina McCall opens the 2000 Brit Awards
Davina McCall opens the 2000 Brit Awards
JM Enternational/Shutterstock

The night opened with this live collaboration between Five (or should that be 5ive?) and Queen

Ricky Martin also took to the stage as he celebrated a huge year (see if you can clock Carmit from the Pussycat Dolls as one of his backing dancers, too)

But the biggest performance of the night came from a certain Mrs Horner (née Halliwell)

Geri Halliwell puts on a show at the Brit Awards in 2000
Geri Halliwell puts on a show at the Brit Awards in 2000
Fiona Hanson - PA Images via Getty Images

She made headlines when she emerged from between a giant pair of inflatable legs

Absolutely incredible stuff
Absolutely incredible stuff
JMEnternational via Getty Images

Meanwhile, her old Spice Girls bandmates ended up winning the Outstanding Contribution To Music title

The second incarnation of the Spice Girls
The second incarnation of the Spice Girls
Fiona Hanson - PA Images via Getty Images

They marked the occasion with a special performance of their hits

(How unfortunate that Geri ended up stealing all of the headlines)

What a performance
What a performance
Richard Young/Shutterstock

Among the big winners on the night was Robbie Williams, who won Best British Single and Best British Video for She’s The One

Robbie is still the artist with the most Brit Awards to his name
Robbie is still the artist with the most Brit Awards to his name
JM Enternational/Shutterstock

His acceptance speech also saw him taking a pop at Liam Gallagher, which provided a huge talking point

But that wasn’t the only kerfuffle on stage, with Ronnie Wood getting into a scrap with stage invader Brandon Block, after his mates somehow convinced him that he’d won an award (we think alcohol might have been involved, but we can’t be sure)

Travis and Macy Gray were the other big winners of the night, each scooping two awards

Macy Gray was awarded International Female and International Breakthrough
Macy Gray was awarded International Female and International Breakthrough
JM Enternational/Shutterstock

Elsewhere, Tom Jones was awarded Best British Male, beating Sting, David Bowie, Van Morrison and Ian Brown

While Best British Female went to Beth Orton (remember her?) over Gabrielle, Melanie C, Geri Halliwell and Beverley Knight

Beth Orton accepts her award for Best British Female
Beth Orton accepts her award for Best British Female
Fiona Hanson - PA Images via Getty Images

Other winners included Steps for British Live Act…

Varying levels of formal wear among the five members of Steps
Varying levels of formal wear among the five members of Steps
JM Enternational/Shutterstock

...and Five for Best British Pop Act

It was a big night for Five, who opened the show and later won Best British Pop Act
It was a big night for Five, who opened the show and later won Best British Pop Act
Shutterstock

Oh, and Will Smith performed, wearing this, of all things...

Will Smith performing Will 2K at the Brits
Will Smith performing Will 2K at the Brits
JM Enternational/Shutterstock

...which somehow then transitioned into this

Remember Will Smith's rap career?
Remember Will Smith's rap career?
Richard Young/Shutterstock

And if you want to know just how “turn of the millennium” the presenters on the night were, here’s the SM:tv team making a Wonky Donkey joke…

...and Ali G presenting an award to Macy Gray

Before we go, shall we just have another watch of that Geri performance?

Just excellent.

Billie Eilish

Brit Awards 2020 Red Carpet

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