Watch Hugh Jackman perform ‘The Greatest Show’ at the BRIT Awards 2019

21 February 2019, 10:46

By Maddy Shaw Roberts

Hugh Jackman put on quite the show at last night’s Brits ceremony, belting out ‘The Greatest Show’ amid an army of dancers and acrobats swinging from aerial ropes.

Taking to the O2’s stage to open the ceremony, Hugh Jackman and a huge cast of backing singers and dancers performed ‘The Greatest Show’, the first song from The Greatest Showman.

Their performance began with a rambunctious, repeated line of ‘woah’s from the chorus, interrupted by Hugh Jackman singing: “Ladies and gents, this is the moment you’ve waited for”.

Towards the end of the impressive routine – including top hats and tails, fire-breathers and dancing human pyramids – Brits host Jack Whitehall made a brief appearance on stage.

The Greatest Show at the Brits 2019
The Greatest Show at the Brits 2019. Picture: Getty

Jackman’s opening number was followed by performances from some of the most successful British artists including The 1975, Jess Glynne, Jorja Smith and Pink.

Pink took home an award for outstanding contribution to music, saying in her acceptance speech: “To be considered in the same category as David Bowie and The Beatles and Sir Elton and Sir Paul and Fleetwood Mac is beyond anything I can comprehend.”

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Other winners included George Ezra (British Male Solo Artist), Jorja Smith (British Female), Ariana Grande (International Female), Beyoncé and Jay Z (International Group), The 1975 (British group) and Drake (International Male).

Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa won British single for ‘One Kiss’, while Little Mix picked up the Best Video award for ‘Woman Like Me’.

Pink performs at The BRIT Awards 2019
Pink performs at The BRIT Awards 2019. Picture: Getty

‘The Greatest Show’ was written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the award-winning composing duo who picked up a Golden Globe for the film's song ‘This is Me’ last year.

The song opens the film, setting the scene with P. T. Barnum and his troupe performing a circus show in the mid-19th century.

The Greatest Showman was the best-selling record of 2018 in the UK and was at the top of the album charts for 11 consecutive weeks, although the album wasn’t nominated for any Brit Awards.