Bad behaviour at the Brit Awards

By Fiona Pryor
Entertainment reporter, BBC News

Since the Brit Awards began in 1977, the annual ceremony has become notorious for bad behaviour among the musicians themselves - and a string of headline-grabbing incidents.

Fox's faux pas KLF machine-guns audience Jarvis jostles Jackson

Prescott's political shower Block versus Wood

1989 - FOX'S FAUX PAS

Defining moments: Former page three model Samantha Fox and Fleetwood Mac's Mick Fleetwood went down in history for turning the live 1989 award ceremony into a shambles.

Fox and Fleetwood were the mismatched presenters in 1989

They continually missed cues and fluffed their lines, and Fox mistakenly introduced Boy George as the Four Tops.

Government minister Kenneth Baker was booed by the audience.

A pre-recorded message by Michael Jackson was never broadcast, despite the show ending several minutes early.

The winners: Acoustic folk-pop band Fairground Attraction were the surprise victors, scooping awards for best album and best single.

Cliff Richard collected the outstanding contribution award after 30 years in the music business.

1992 - KLF MACHINE-GUNS AUDIENCE

Defining moments: The band KLF made headlines after performing a metal version of their dance hit 3am Eternal with Extreme Noise Terror.

The performance was so extreme it prompted conductor Sir Georg Solti to walk out.

The KLF's performance caused controversy on stage in 1992

During their set, frontman Bill Drummond fired blanks from a vintage machine gun into the audience.

Remarking on their performance, the venue's announcer, Scott Piering said: "Ladies and gentleman, the KLF have now left the music business."

They scooped the title for best band, but sent a motorcycle courier to pick up their award.

Later, guests arriving for an aftershow party claim they saw the band dump a dead sheep outside the venue.

Three months later, the KLF disbanded.

The winners: Queen won best single, 15 years after Bohemian Rhapsody won them the same title.

Lead singer Freddie Mercury was given the outstanding contribution award, a year after his death.

1996 - JARVIS JOSTLES JACKSON

Defining moments: It was Jarvis Cocker who made Michael Jackson's 1996 performance of the Earth Song memorable.

The Pulp frontman invaded the stage, whilst Jackson performed alongside a group of children.

Jarvis Cocker invaded Michael Jackson's performance in 1996

He ran around the singer, lifted his shirt and pretended to break wind.

Cocker was subsequently questioned by the police over claims he had assaulted Jackson's child dancers. He was later released without charge.

Oasis also sparked controversy the same night.

On picking up a prize from INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, Noel Gallagher commented that "has-beens shouldn't be presenting awards to gonna-bes".

The winners: Prince won his sixth international male artist award and Jackson was given the title "artist of a generation".

Oasis took a hat-trick of awards home.

1998 - PRESCOTT'S POLITICAL SHOWER

Defining moments: In 1998, Chumbawamba's guitarist Danbert Nobacon - real name Nigel Hunter - threw a bucket of iced water over Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

The anarchist band, who performed on the night, changed the words to their hit single Tubthumping in a bid to cajole the MP.

Chumbawamba claimed the headlines for their political statement in 1998

Despite apologies on behalf of the band from EMI Europe, Chumbawamba were unrepentant, issuing a press statement the day after the incident:

"If John Prescott has the nerve to turn up at events like the Brit Awards in a vain attempt to make Labour seem cool and trendy, then he deserves all we can throw at him."

The winners: Fleetwood Mac's Mick Fleetwood made a return to the Brits after his disastrous co-hosting of the event in 1989 to collect the outstanding contribution award with the rest of the band.

The Verve scored a hat-trick of awards and girl group All Saints scooped two.

2000 - BLOCK VERSUS WOOD

Defining moments: Dance DJ Brandon Block caused controversy in 2000 after appearing uninvited on stage, expecting an award.

Friends had managed to convince Block, who had consumed rather a lot of alcohol, that he had been called up to accept a gong.

Brandon Block and Ronnie Wood traded insults on stage in 2000

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood who was about to present the award with actress Thora Birch, aimed an insult at Block whilst on stage.

The DJ retaliated and Wood threw a drink over him.

Also in 2000, Robbie Williams fuelled his public spat with Oasis' Gallagher brothers by demanding to have a punch-up with the group's singer Liam.

The winners: Robbie Williams added to his collection of awards, picking up his fifth gong in two years.

The best British pop act award was introduced and went to boy band Five.

A special award for best selling British live act in 1999 was collected by Steps, who were unexpectedly beaten to the best newcomer prize at the previous ceremony.