Hugh Jackman! Acrobatics! A metallic blazer! Massive amounts of confetti! Those were the very cornerstones of the entertaining opening at the 2019 Brit Awards on Feb. 20. Jackman kicked off the show with a festive performance of "The Greatest Show" from The Greatest Showman (the song also opens the movie musical!). Yes, the film might be two years old now, and yes, Jackman wasn't actually up for any awards at the Brits, but who cares! It offered as good an opportunity as any to see the triple-threat take the stage. See snippets and pictures from the performance ahead.<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Last night, singer and actor Hugh Jackman opened the 39th Brit Awards with a performance from the 2017 film The Greatest Showman. Dressed in a silver suit jacket, Hugh performed a song from the hit musical, commanding the stage with dancers dressed in cabaret attire. Brits host Jack Whitehall appeared from within the crowd of dancers, joining the opening act which ended with performers suspended from the ceiling. This was Hugh’s first appearance at the Brits and the star joked he would be in bed as the ceremony began. Speaking on the red carpet, the Wolverine star said: “You are not meant to be first, you are meant to be last. I perform at 8pm, I'm in bed at 9.30pm! “I have never been to the Brits, I wouldn't say this is my normal big day job. I wouldn't be surprised if I never get invited again. “My basic theory in life is, just say yes and have the time of your life." Read More: BRIT Awards 2019: Jack Whitehall makes bizarre BREXIT gag<doc-sep>Advertisement The BRIT Awards 2019 kicked off in typically-extravagant style on Wednesday night as Hollywood star Hugh Jackman took to the stage, clad in a silver tux, to perform a rousing number from 2018 smash movie The Greatest Showman. After an energetic routine with circus performers in top hats and tails, fire-breathers and a pyramid of backing dancers, BRITs 2019 host Jack Whitehall lauded 'Australia's answer to Bradley Walsh' for his opening number. Jack followed this with a typical tongue-in-cheek speech, noting that Little Mix would be performing later in the evening - and hopefully collecting an award or two. Off with a bang! The BRIT Awards 2019 kicked off in typically-extravagant style on Wednesday night as Hollywood star Hugh Jackman took to the stage Honoured: Pink won the Outstanding Contribution To Music prize at the end of the evening 'They left their record label last year,' he remarked, of the British girl group's 2018 split from SyCo. 'So Simon Cowell will be asking his surgeon to put a brave face on him if Little Mix win big tonight!' Jack quipped. Jack put on a dapper appearance in a bespoke Charlie Casely-Hayford suit, made from a navy velvet with black satin lapels. He completed the ensemble with The Raymond Weil BRITs Limited Edition Watch - the brand being the official timing partner for the ceremony. He was in plenty of well-dressed company, with the hottest stars heading to London's 02 Arena in North Greenwich for the evening's festivities, with the first two categories celebrating the best British Female Solo and best British Male Solo Artists. Knocking back the likes of Anne-Marie, Florence + The Machine, Jess Glynne and Lily Allen, Jorja Smith scooped the female gong, claiming it was 'for all the little girls out there' as she accepted the award from Nile Rodgers and HER. Host Jack Whitehall notrf that Little Mix would be performing later in the evening - and hopefully collecting an award or two Jokes: 'So Simon Cowell will be asking his surgeon to put a brave face on him if Little Mix win big tonight!' Jack quipped Making a scene: Jack was sure to get involved in Hugh's opening routine Silver stud: Clad in a silver tux, Hugh performed a rousing number from 2018 smash movie The Greatest Showman High impact: Hugh performed an energetic routine with circus performers in top hats and tails, fire-breathers and a pyramid of backing dancers Crooner: BRITs 2019 host Jack Whitehall lauded 'Australia's answer to Bradley Walsh' for his opening number What a show(man): There were circus-performers a-plenty during the opening number Aphex Twin, Craig David, Sam Smith and Giggs were beaten by George Ezra in the male category, who then took to the stage to perform his hit Shot Gun. Host Jack was running the show for the second year in a row with Pink being honoured for her career with the Outstanding Contribution To Music prize at the end of the evening. The 1975 took home the Best British Group gong, pipping Arctic Monkeys, Gorillaz, Little Mix and Years & Years to the post. The greatest show! The opening number wowed viewers watching at home Kicking things off: Nile Rodgers and HER and Paloma Faith and Daniel Sturridge presented the best British Female Solo and best British Male Solo Artist gongs, respectively Winners: Knocking back the likes of Anne-Marie, Florence + The Machine, Jess Glynne and Lily Allen, Jorja Smith scooped the best Female Solo gong, while Aphex Twin, Craig David, Sam Smith and Giggs were beaten by George Ezra who then took to the stage to perform hit Shot Gun Best band: The 1975 took home the Best British Group gong, pipping Arctic Monkeys, Gorillaz, Little Mix and Years & Years to the post Matty Healy, the band's frontman, accepted the award from actresses Vicky McClure and Natalie Dormer by simply reading out a quote from journalist Laura Snapes: 'Male misogynist acts are examined for nuance and defended as traits of "difficult" artists. Women and those who call them out are treated as hysterics who don’t understand art.' This was diffused somewhat by Jack chatting to British band Bros, who were rinsed over Christmas for their cringe-worthy documentary After The Screaming Stops. In a sarcastic nod to the BBC Three one-off, Jack asked the brothers what it was like to be ‘H.O.M.E’ at the ‘B.R.I.T.S’. Luke Goss replied, ‘it’s always special to be here', while brother Matt echoed, ‘we enjoy every second of it’. ‘Preach,’ was Jack’s reply. 'We never win!' Little Mix took home the award for British Video for Woman Like Me Feat. Nicki Minaj Champs: The British Single gong went to Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa for their hit One Kiss He asked what they thought of the reaction to their documentary, to which Matt answered: ‘The love that we have received has been amazing, we are so humbled!’ Referring to the now-classic moment that saw Matt debating the safety of children playing conkers in the playground, Jack then whipped out a giant conker and asked to play a game. ‘Look at the size of that conker!’ Matt replied. Jack also sat down with American pop star Shawn Mendes and remarked that the 20-year-old would be able to drink alcohol at the BRITs - unlike the GRAMMYs, due to the US drinking age. Laughs: Jack also sat down with American pop star Shawn Mendes and remarked that the 20-year-old would be able to drink alcohol at the BRITs - unlike the GRAMMYs, due to the US drinking age When will I be famous? Bros made an appearance, with Jack making a second dig at the group. He said - 'They were at the top of their game in the 80s, before falling flatter than Gemma Collins on ice' Another award for Ed: The BRITs Global Success award, identified by global sales success of a British artist, was awarded to Ed Sheeran for a second year Best International Group: The Carters scooped a gong - their first as a group - although Beyonce and Jay Z have both won BRIT awards as individuals previously<doc-sep>The Brit Awards is a real variety show: the sort of melting pot in which bona fide A-listers rub shoulders with zombie acts of the early nineties. And that's a good thing. After all, who could dislike a big friendly democratic awards show in which everyone gets an invite and everyone gets to watch the questionable pyrotechnics and Sam Smith dancing with Winnie Harlow for no apparent reason? Good, clean, odd fun. But at this year's ceremony, the real surprise was an off-shore talent - an Australian that cut his teeth on Wolverine's forever-anguished claws and honed his lungs in 2017's least coolest film: Hugh Jackman. Top hats! Glitter! Walking canes! Jazz hands! Inexplicably feeling entertained! Hugh Jackman opens the Brit Awards 2019 with The Greatest Showman. Getty Images The actor's rendition of The Greatest Showman was notable for several reasons. One: the film is neither British, nor particularly current. Secondly, the Brit Awards is not the Tonys (for which we are so thankful). Flanking a feel-good mum hit with Little Mix bumping crotches in PVC is as jarring as it is nonsensical. And yet, Jackman made what has long been a naff sect of entertainment cool again. He was effortless. A triumph, even. As the happy Australian worked the stage with the effervescence of an Alka-Seltzer at a stag do, the appreciation was widespread. 'I'm quite enjoying this,' your housemate said. 'Fair play to the fella, he's a bloody good singer,' your father said. You can thank Tom Ford. Getty Images The designer's O'Connor shawl lapel tux was the perfect armour for such a spectacle. There was the shine, the glitz and the volume we've come to expect from the High Priest of Peacocking. And the Ford Effect didn't end on-stage, either. Prior to leading a procession of terrifyingly overexcited backing dancers, Jackman cracked the red carpet too, reminding us that for all of the showmanship of a blinding tux, the US designer does classic black just as well. And so, despite event organisers who are deep in the throes of an Aayahuasca trip, it was clear the Brit Awards had its hero. His name was Hugh Jackman. Or perhaps Tom Ford. Tom Ford SHOP Silver Shelton Jacket, £3,680, mrporter.com Polo Ralph Lauren SHOP Spread Collar Shirt, £85, matchesfashion.com Topman SHOP Slim Tuxedo Trousers, £40, topman.com Hugo Boss SHOP Patent Leather Oxfords, £270, mrporter.com This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io<doc-sep>
BRIT Awards 2019: Hugh Jackman is THE Greatest Showman as he opens ceremony Hugh Jackman gave a taster of his forthcoming UK shows. Picture: Getty By Emma Gritt The Australian star brought a smattering of Hollywood glamour as he kickstarted the 2019 Brit Awards, backed by a troupe of dancers. Hugh Jackman gave fans a taster of his forthcoming live tour when he opened the Brit Awards with a rousing rendition of The Greatest Show. The 50-year-old Australian fought for years to get film bigwigs to believe in his idea for a musical based on the life of freakshow boss PT Barnum. And tonight he proved why it was the right decision, getting the audience at the O2 Arena to their feet with the main track from The Greatest Showman - and people at home flooding Twitter with praise. Sadly he didn't call Pink up on stage to duet A Million Dreams with him. We revealed how fans were hoping that the pair would team up to sing the film's big ballad - and on the Heart London Breakfast show the morning, Kelly Brook and JK shared an exclusive mash-up of what their duet *might* have sounded like. The Australian actor couldn't hide his delight as he took to the stage. Picture: Getty On the red carpet, Hugh admitted he had 130 dancers joining him on stage. He said: "I am so grateful to everyone involved with the Greatest Showman, especially the fans here. "I literally just ran in to Pink's manager and said I will do anything anywhere with her. "I think she's amazing, I am a massive fan. She reached out to us and asked to perform some songs from the film. "I met her daughter Willow and she was on the tracks, I cry every time I see it." Earlier this week, dad-of-two Hugh shared some behind the scenes footage from his Brit rehearsals. And it really was just the tip of the iceberg as he was flanked by at least 100 dancers tonight dressed in their finest circus garb.