Stormzy hid behind sunglasses as he attended the star-studded 2025 BRIT Awards at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday. The 31-year-old rapper looked dapper in a beige leather jacket, white top, and smart trousers.

He completed the look with a cream bag slung over his shoulder and beige suede trainers.  However, his decision to wear a pair of sunglasses on the red carpet sparked speculation. MailOnline can now reveal that the accessory choice stems from a recent accident the rapper suffered while playing padel.

Stormzy is no stranger to the sport as he shared a snap playing the game with Irish Jeff Hendrick back in December.

Stormzy hid behind sunglasses as he attended the star-studded 2025 BRIT Awards at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday

The 31-year-old rapper looked dapper in a beige leather jacket, white top, and smart trousers. There are over 300 padel courts in the UK and it appears the Vossi Bop and Big For Your Boots star is a convert.

Stormzy was pictured all smiles on Instagram after a doubles game, where fans quickly spotted the Premier League midfielder in the back. The Brit Awards is hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall, marking his fifth time at the helm of the event, after having previously presented the show in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

The star-studded event will take place once again at London’s O2 Arena with the trophy this year designed by the talented Gabriel Moses. The night will feature massive performances from Ezra Collective and special guest Jorja Smith.

They have joined an exciting lineup of already announced acts including Jade Thirlwall, Sabrina Carpenter, Sam Fender, Lola Young, Teddy Swims, and The Last Dinner Party.

Charli XCX will no longer be performing at the ceremony despite months of negotiations.

According to a close source, the decision comes as she shifted her focus toward preparing for the Grammy Awards, which took place earlier this month.

He completed the look with a cream bag slung over his shoulder and a chunky silver watch

However, his decision to wear a pair of sunglasses on the red carpet sparked speculation. MailOnline can now reveal that the accessory choice stems from a recent accident the rapper suffered while playing padel

Stormzy is no stranger to the sport as he shared a snap playing the game with Irish Jeff Hendrick back in December

The pop singer leads the 2025 BRIT Awards nominations with five nods, closely followed by Dua Lipa who has been recognised in four categories. It was recently announced that Charli will receive the coveted Songwriter Of The Year prize. The star, 32, made history when her No1 album Brat became a cultural phenomenon last summer along with the colour slime green as millions of fans showed their support by posting clips of Charli’s Apple Dance on TikTok.

And now her Brat summer lives on as Charli has received nominations in five prestigious categories including Song Of The Year for Guess ft. Billie Eilish, Artist Of The Year, Dance Act, Pop Act, and the sought-after Album Of The Year. Dua, 29, who is already the recipient of seven BRITs, has been awarded another four nods as she goes head-to-head against Charli for Song Of The Year with hit Training Season, Artist Of The Year, Pop Act, and Album Of The Year with Radical Optimism.

US superstar Taylor Swift, 35, will battle it out with Billie Eilish in the International Artist Of The Year category, which also features Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan, as well as for the International Song Of The Year accolade. The winners of five genre awards – Alternative/Rock Act, Dance Act, Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act, Pop Act, R&B Act – will be determined by a public vote exclusively through WhatsApp for the first time ever.

Jade Thirlwall has been nominated for the first time as a solo artist after previously winning three awards with the group Little Mix.

The ceremony is hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall marking his fifth time at the helm of the awards, after having previously hosted it in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021

The night will feature massive performances from Ezra Collective (pictured) and special guest Jorja Smith

They will join already announced Jade Thirlwall, Sabrina Carpenter, Sam Fender, Lola Young,  Teddy Swims and The Last Dinner Party to perform at the ceremony (pictured Jorja)

The singer, 32, has earned recognition in the Pop Act and Song Of The Year categories, revealing it was when she wrote the hit Angel Of My Dreams that she finally established her individual sound.

Read More Fleur East sizzles in a silver moulded breastplate top as she attends the 2025 BRIT Awards

Speaking as the nominations were announced, she said: ‘Obviously as a band we were nominated a few times and that’s amazing but when it’s for your own music and my own personal experiences, it does hit different, it feels extra special.

‘When I first started this solo journey, I was writing a lot of music to exist outside of the group and figure out who I am on my own but the minute I wrote Angel Of My Dreams, that was when I knew I had arrived and this is my sound, this is me.’

The jazz quintet Ezra Collective, who won the Mercury prize in 2023, landed four nominations for Best New Artist, Group Of The Year, Alternative Rock Act and Album Of The Year for their body of work Dance, No One’s Watching.

Their biggest competition comes from The Last Dinner Party who are also up for Best New Artist, Group Of The Year, Alternative Rock Act and Album Of The Year.

Thanks to globally successful artists Central Cee, Stormzy, and Dave, British rap is also well represented at this year’s BRIT Awards.

Central Cee has earned nods in the Song Of The Year category as well as Artist Of The Year, and Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act, while Stormzy has been nominated for the latter.

Another top contender is Myles Smith, who has three nominations in addition to the Rising Star award he was announced as winner last month.

Music fans will be in for a treat as Little Mix favourite Jade Thirlwall – now known as JADE – will take to the stage at this year’s ceremony

BRITs Rising Star winner Myles Smith will also perform at the annual music event

His hit Stargazing, which has amassed over 600 million streams, is up for Song Of The Year, with the hitmaker saying March’s ceremony will be the first BRIT Awards he’s ever attended.

He said: ‘Last year I was watching it on TV and to be there this year is something I am so looking forward to. It’s slap bang in the middle of my tour so my head is everywhere right now but I’m going to figure it out.’

The Beatles have landed a shock nomination after last receiving recognition at the BRITs 42 years ago.

They have been nominated for Song Of The Year with track Now and Then, written by the late John Lennon, 45 years ago.

It was digitally remastered in 2023, reached the No1 spot on the UK Singles Chart and broke several records including the longest gap between a band’s first and last number one.