Myles Smith was named Best Rising Star at the BRIT Awards 2025 with Mastercard.
The 26-year-old singer had been up against English Teacher, Ezra Collective, The Last Dinner Party and Rachel Chinouriri and reflected on his life growing up in Luton.
Speaking live on stage at London's O2 Arena on Saturday (01.03.25), he said: "I'm a bit nervous, I wrote this speech on my phone. I was a kid raised by a single mum on free school meals in a state school that only had instruments because of government-backed schemes.
"I grew up in a town that according to clickbait articles is the worst town in Luton, but I'm here a BRIT winner, a graduate of a Russell Group university.
"I wanna ask three questions. The first is to the government. If British music is one of the most powerful cultural exports we have...why have you treated it as an afterthought for so many years?
"How many more venues need to close before we realise that we can't just celebrate success? We need to protect the foundations that make it.
"My second is if artists selling out the arenas and stadiums started in grassroots what are you doing to keep them alive?
"And my third to the industry, the execs in the room, and the people behind the scenes. Are we building careers or just chasing moments? Moments fade, careers take time."
Meanwhile, Sam Fender had been up against Beabadoobee, The Cure, Ezra Collective, and The Last Dinner Party for the title of Alternative/ Rock promoted by Absolute Radio and joked that he was "nervous" because he wasn't as drunk as last time when he actually won.
He said: "Hi everyone. You all right? I wanna say a huge fan, fan...thanks to the fans. I don't know if you can tell, I'm a little bit nervous, I'm nowhere near as drunk as last time!
"We've got the best fans in the world, I really do believe that. To everybody at home in Newcastle and Shields. Love yous all. I also wanna say a huge thank you to my band, because without them I'm just a mad man shouting at walls. Thank you, have a good night!"
