Mark Ronson pays an emotional tribute to Amy Winehouse as he wins Outstanding Contribution To Music at the BRIT Awards
mark ronson collected the Outstanding Contribution to Music prize at the BRIT Awards in Manchester and used the acceptance to pay an emotional tribute to Amy Winehouse, a partnership he said set the course of his career. The moment has prompted praise for the set and criticism from Winehouse’s goddaughter, who says the ceremony missed a chance to include her.
Mark Ronson's acceptance at the BRIT Awards in Manchester
The record producer, 50, accepted the honour at the ceremony in Manchester, receiving the award from Skepta. He described the BRIT prize as the most meaningful honour of his career and reflected on what he said was a “dream” career after receiving the 2026 gong for outstanding contribution to music. mark ronson noted that this week marks 20 years since he first met Amy Winehouse and said their initial collaboration was a life-changing moment.
Amy Winehouse tribute and Back to Black
Ronson made Winehouse central to his acceptance and performance. He recalled that they wrote Back to Black together on the same day, and staged a rendition of the song that incorporated a clip of Winehouse speaking fondly about him and footage tied to Valerie performed alongside Amy's band The Dap-Kings. He said the music he made with Winehouse gave him the platform to go on and work with other major artists.
Dionne Bromfield challenges the BRITs
Dionne Bromfield, 30, who is Winehouse’s goddaughter, criticised the handling of the tribute and said the ceremony missed an opportunity by not asking her to join. Bromfield — who first came to public attention after performing with Winehouse on Strictly Come Dancing as a backing vocalist — said the issue was deeper than a single stage appearance. She wrote that, since Winehouse’s passing, she has faced years of people in the industry making it difficult for her to move forward, that opportunities were blocked and doors deliberately closed, and that seeing many people Winehouse loved musically included while she was not felt like an insult to both her and Winehouse’s legacy.
Her public response began with a shrugging emoji before a fuller statement reiterating that she did not seek visibility for its own sake. Bromfield added that she has not released music in a long time and that it has not been for lack of trying, signing off with a remark that sometimes things need to be called out. Fans urged that Bromfield should be remembered in any mention of Winehouse, noting an “eternal bond, ” and one exchange recorded the singer replying: “You would think! It definitely was NOT an oversight…”
Performances: Ghostface Killah, Dua Lipa, Skepta and Olivia Dean
On stage, Ronson performed Ooh Wee with Ghostface Killah before the Back to Black homage, and later played Uptown Funk. Dua Lipa made a surprise appearance to sing Dance The Night from the Barbie soundtrack and join on the collaboration Electricity. Earlier remarks from Ronson thanked collaborators including Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Dua Lipa and credited the music he made with Amy for enabling those later partnerships. Olivia Dean was also a headline name of the night, taking home four awards and winning in every category for which she was nominated.
