Lily Allen Snoozes at BRITs After Snub

snubbed the in favour of a girls' night in with best pal Miquita Oliver - and was pictured sarcastically yawning through the two-and-half-hour-long ceremony.

The singer, 40, missed out on three gongs at the star-studded bash - including Best Album for record West End Girl - and, according to insiders, was 'bitterly disappointed' not to be given a performing slot at the music spectacle.

BRITs bosses were expecting her to attend, even including her in their seating plan alongside a 'Madeline' cake, a cheeky not to her song about ex-husband 's cheating.

And BRITs' host even name-checked the singer in his opening monologue, saying: 'Will it be a big night for a lady with three BRIT Award nominations? Her album West End Girl was launched into the charts like a torpedo, only this torpedo didn't sink a ship, it destroyed a harbour, it's Lily Allen!'

But according to music insiders, the London-born star received an early indication that she would not be collecting any gongs and decided to shun Saturday's ceremony, which was held in Manchester for the first time in its history.

Lily had reportedly been suffering from a cold last week, and with her first tour in seven years starting on Monday, both she and her management were reluctant to throw herself into a night of partying.

But sources close to the star told The Daily Mail she would not have missed the opportunity to celebrate her first BRIT Award in 15 years had she won.

Indeed, Lily was upset not to be recognised for her remarkable comeback and privately scoffed as Noel Gallagher collected the Best Songwriter of the Year award - despite having released no new music. 

An insider said: 'Lily was chuffed to be nominated for three gongs and was hoping to land at least one of them.

'She's always loved the BRITs and to be saluted for her music after pouring in so much time and emotion into the album would have certainly been worth celebrating.

'But she didn't want to be a storyline for attending and not winning. She anticipated the cameras pining for her reaction so it was best all round for her to just not make the trip to Manchester - especially as she wasn't even performing.

'It made sense to focus on tour preparations, that was always going to take precedence over an award show appearance in which she would leave empty-handed.'

On Noel's victory, the source added: 'The irony of Noel winning Songwriter of the Year despite not releasing any new music wasn't lost on Lily. It summed up her frustration with the whole night.'

While her music contemporaries were being prepped by their glam squads before strutting the red carpet at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena, Lily was lounging in comfy clothes with ex-T4 host Miquita Oliver, watching the ceremony on TV.

She couldn't resist another cheeky dig at the BRITs, pretending to yawn while watching - an image Miquita captured on her Instagram story.

Lily's sold-out tour kicks off in Glasgow on Monday night, followed by four more dates this week.

Her intimate UK gigs span throughout March before heading to North America in April, marking Lily's first tour in seven years. 

It's understandable Lily decided to take zero risks before a gruelling few months ahead and the tour dates will prove a handy distraction from her BRITs snub.

Lily was beaten to the Artist of the Year, Best Album and Best Pop Act gongs by Olivia Dean, who also notched Song of the Year thanks to her collaboration on Sam Fender track Rein Me In.

The day before the Brits, Lily shared rehearsal footage set to her track Nonmonogamummy.

And on the day itself, she once again returned to social media to reshare a humorous Instagram story about a goat, but gave no induction over an impending no-show.

Lily has had a tumultuous relationship with the BRIT Awards.

She's won just a single gong in her 20-year career, picking up Best Female Solo Artist in 2010, despite receiving nine nominations.

The singer has still been a regular presence at the event over the years, immersing herself in the fashion as well as the after-parties.

But in 2016, she hit out at BRITs bosses for failing to recognise black talent, accusing the voting academy - made up of music industry figures - of tactically voting to ensure their own artists won. 

Writing in The Guardian, she said: 'The BRIT Awards' blindness to black British talent goes on, as incredible years for Skepta, Stormzy and Lady Leshurr are shunned for music Alan Partridge would approve of.'

Ten years on from her rant, the 2026 BRIT Awards were supposed to cap her fairytale music comeback.

Her West End Girl album was acclaimed by fans and critics alike, considered a true return to form for the singer, who burst onto the scene in the early noughties with hits including Smile and LDN.

Lily chronicles the breakdown of her four-year marriage to Stranger Things actor Harbour, 50, which was tainted by cheating allegations - something she more than alludes to in several tracks, including the aforementioned Madeline.

Speaking about her 'revenge' album to Elle UK, Lily said: 'I was processing things that were happening at quite a traumatic period of time. 

'I don't think that it's a particularly self-aware record. It's a lot more about rage directed towards other people. It's not really about self-reflection.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Lily's spokesperson for comment.