The funeral of the singer, who died on Christmas Day, cannot go ahead until a coroner gets toxicology test results
And to a standing ovation he added: “I loved him and in return we – you – have been loved.”

Andrew, 54, who last performed with George three decades ago, was joined on stage by ex-backing singers Pepsi & Shirlie, who both broke down.

Coldplay star Chris Martin , 39, then “duetted” with a video of George on the late star’s 1986 No1 hit A Different ¬Corner.

Pepsi DeMacque said: “Chris was the perfect fit and the fact he wanted to do it was amazing because I know George loved his voice.”

George, 53, died alone at his Oxfordshire flat and was found by lover Fadi Fawaz. Police called the death “un¬¬¬¬¬¬explained” but “not suspicious”.

The star’s belated funeral is being organised by sisters Melanie and Yioda, who were both invited to Wednesday night’s awards at London’s O2 arena.

George’s friend Andros Georgiou, 54, recently said that Fadi had been banned from the funeral because “the family hate him”.

But photographer Fadi denied the claim, saying: “George’s family are loving, respectful decent people.

"Someone who is saying all this rubbish about the funeral has not been part of George’s life for 19 years.”

Fadi was full of praise for the Brits’ tribute. He wrote: “Chris was great and George was the man.”

Also honoured on Wednesday was David Bowie, who won Best Male, as well as Album of the Year for Blackstar, which was released on his 69th birthday – two days before he died in ¬January 2016.

His album is on the Sony label, which scored a record-breaking nine awards at the bash.

Other awards included Rag’n’¬Bone Man (British Breakthrough Act) and Little Mix (British Single) for Shout Out To My Ex.