Depeche Mode says that they turned down the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music award out of spite. ITV, the network airing the show, informed the band they would not air their acceptance speech, which displeased them.
Singer Dave Gahan had three words to say about the popular honors program: "F**k the Brits."
"Let me tell you a story. I will probably get someone in trouble, but we were told we were getting a new award this year. Most Influential Band In The Last 20 Years or something? Basically the old bastard, Lifetime Achievement Award — and we said, 'Yes that's cool.'"
"Then we heard through the grapevine ITV wouldn't broadcast our segment. So we said, 'If they won't play us on air, then we're not going to be their most influential band.'"
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Entertainment News
May 22, 2026 14:46 ET Minutes of the latest Fed policy session was the highlight of the week along with survey data on the U.S. housing market. In Europe, survey data signaled the trends in the euro area private sector. Further, consumer price inflation data from the U.K. was in focus. In Asia, various economic indicators from China drew attention to the health of the economy.