Next year’s BRIT Awards have been pushed back by three months, to May, for it to have a better chance of staging a full live ceremony featuring some of the world’s biggest pop stars.
The 41st edition of the music awards show was due to take place in February, as usual, at the O2 Arena in London.
But uncertainty around the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has prompted the music industry to delay the event.
Organisers said that they want “outstanding production levels, superstar performances and live excitement”.
Geoff Taylor, chief executive of the BRITS and industry body the BPI, said: “We believe that the best way to achieve this in 2021 is to move the show back a few months to May.
“We are already at work planning a spectacular event that will remind us just how important music has been in getting us all through this very difficult time”.
The eligibility period for the awards will be altered, although music releases have continued during the pandemic.
