Michael Buble could present the 2018 BRIT Awards.

Michael Buble

Michael Buble

The 41-year-old singer had to pull out of hosting the 2017 awards in order to care for his son Noah, who is battling cancer, but hosts Dermot O'Leary and Emma Willis explained during Wednesday's (22.02,17) ceremony that he could return next year.

Dermot said: "While Emma and I are so happy to be your hosts, we would much rather be down there in the audience, watching Michael Buble up here."

And Emma added: "We so wish he could have been with us this evening and everyone here at the BRITs send our love and fingers crossed he will be here next year."

There was also huge excitement in London's O2 arena as the pair revealed a "huge collaboration" was planned between two big stars during the show.

Meanwhile, Emeli Sande won the first award of the night, British Female Solo Artist.

The 29-year-old singer - who first won the award in 2013 - picked up the gong at the ceremony at London's O2 arena, beating off stiff competition from Ellie Goulding, Lianne La Havas, Anohni and Nao.

After David Tennant announced her win, Emeli brought her sister Lucy on stage and said: "This is my sister Lucy and I wouldn't be here without you, thank you so much. Thank you to my parents, my management, my record label.

"Thank you for allowing me to make the music I wanted to make and for allowing me to express what's important. And thank you for allowing me to come back."

Along with bringing her sister on to the stage, Emeli, who has now won four BRIT Awards in total, also brought her father Joel and mother Diane along to the ceremony.

Speaking on the red carpet before the show kicked off, Emeli said: "My family are here, my mum and dad have come down from Scotland and my sister and her boyfriend are coming, they're all going to be on a table with me so they're really going to enjoy tonight. They've been to the BRITs a few years ago but this is the first time we're all going to be together."

Following Emeli's award, Bruno Mars took to the stage to perform and Dermot teased Emma when she said she "loved" the star, quipping, about Emma's husband Matt Willis, "took late, you've already chosen your musician'.

And The 1975 beat off competition from Bastille, Biffy Clyro

Radiohead and Little Mix to be win the British Group award.

Earlier, Little Mix opened the show with a storming performance of 'Shout Out To My Ex'.

The quartet were carried to the stage on silver thrones before launching into a high-tempo performance to kick off proceedings at the BRIT Awards 2017, sponsored by Mastercard.

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