Russell Brand given thumbs up for mocking Amy Winehouse at the Brits

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Comic Russell Brand's gag about the state of Amy Winehouse's liver was today ranked the greatest on-stage quip at the Brit Awards.

Host: Russell Brand always knows what lines to use on a lady

Brand, who hosted the show in 2007, topped a poll for networking site MySpace Music, ahead of Robbie Williams challenging Liam Gallagher to a punch-up.

Next week the Brits will be held for the 30th time at a star-studded bash at London's Earls Court.

Brand famously joked about singer Winehouse: "Amy Winehouse - her surname's beginning to sound like a description of her liver."

MySpace users were asked to choose from a shortlist of the most amusing and cringeworthy comments since the event began in 1977.

Williams' comment in 2000 came amid an ongoing spat with Liam and Noel Gallagher. As he stepped on stage to collect an award, he said: "Liam, a hundred grand of your money and a hundred grand of my money? We'll get in a ring and we'll have a fight and you can all watch it on TV."

The Gallaghers were involved in a number of the most memorable lines, with Liam ranked third for his 1996 remark at host Chris Evans: "It will take more than Ginger B...ocks to throw us off."

Will Francis, editor of MySpace UK, said: "The Brits are a national institution and millions of us tune in every year, not just to see who wins and who loses but to see who trips up on stage and who gives the wittiest speeches - the best of which linger in the memory long after the ceremony is over."

Top 10:
1. Russell Brand (2007): "Amy Winehouse - her surname's beginning to sound like a description of her liver."
2. Robbie Williams (2000): "Liam, a hundred grand of your money and a hundred grand of my money? We'll get in a ring and we'll have a fight and you can all watch it on TV, what d'you think about that?"
3. Liam Gallagher (1996): "Anyone tough enough to take us off the stage can come up now. It will take more than Ginger B...ocks to throw us off."
4. Justin Timberlake (2004): "This is only my first record so you guys stick with me, we've got depression and drug addiction to go through."
5. Bjork (1998): "I am a grateful grapefruit."
6. Noel Gallagher, to award presenter Michael Hutchence (1996): "Why is a has-been presenting to the gonna-bes?"
7. Mel C to Liam Gallagher (1997): "Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough."
8. Bob Geldof, presenting an award to Michael Jackson (1996): "When he sings, it is with the voice of angels. When his feet move, you can see God dancing."
9. Kerry Katona (2004): "You all look so clean and smell lovely ... I just farted."
10. Elton John (1995): "It's very nice to get this award at this time of life, going through the male menopause - or even the female menopause."

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