Culture

Dua Lipa demands Boris Johnson give NHS workers a pay rise in searing BRIT Awards speech

Dua Lipa BRIT awards

Dua Lipa channelling Amy Winehouse as she arrives at The BRIT Awards 2021 (JMEnternational for BRIT Awards/Getty)

Dua Lipa demanded a pay rise for NHS workers as she won two major awards at the BRITs – and the crowd went wild.

After receiving the award Best Female Solo Artist, the “Levitating” hitmaker used her time on the podium to deliver a powerful speech in support of frontline staff.

She began by announcing she would be sharing her award with nurse Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, the emeritus professor of nursing at the University of West London.

“She has spent her stellar nursing career fighting racial injustice,” Dua said. “She has also spent so much time and is a strong, strong advocate for protecting frontline workers.

“She has also said that there is a massive disparity between gratitude and respect for frontline workers,” she continued, before taking aim at Boris Johnson and the “Clap for Carers” initiative.

“It’s very good to clap for them, but we need to pay them. And so I think what we should do is give a massive massive round of applause and give Boris a message that we all support a fair pay rise for our front line.”

The arena erupted in applause and cheers from the 4,000-strong audience, comprised of thousands of NHS key workers – and viewers at home couldn’t get enough of her either.

Dua Lipa also won the award for Album of the Year, dedicating her award to Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, the 20-year-old who died after jumping into the Thames to save a woman.

The star called for him and fellow rescuer Joaquin Garcia to be honoured with a bravery award.

“I did want to honour this award to Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, or Jimi as he’s known by his friends and family, and Joaquin Garcia,” Dua said. “Jimi and Joaquin attempted to rescue a woman who had fallen from London Bridge and tragically Jimi did not survive.

“Jimi and Joaquin knowingly put themselves in danger and they did it without hesitation, even though they were strangers to each other and the woman that they were rescuing, so it would be really fitting if their actions were recognised with a bravery award and I hope this can happen, to give Jimi’s family some comfort.

“This award is for Jimi and Joaquin. Jimi, you have touched the hearts of the whole nation and we will never forget you.”

Register to save articles and more. It'll only take a minute and it's free.
JOIN US TODAY!