American pop sensation Taylor Swift is set to be honoured as a global icon on Tuesday at the 2021 Brit Awards in front of a live audience of 4,000 at the O2 Arena in London. Britain’s top music prize ceremony is being used as a test return to mass-attendance events amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Swift will become the first woman to receive the global icon prize, which has previously been awarded to superstars such as Elton John and David Bowie.

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Following the release of her re-recorded album “Fearless”, the 31-year-old, who is also nominated in the international female solo artist category, has become the highest-selling artist in the UK so far in 2021. 

Meanwhile, the attendees will not be socially distanced or wearing face masks, but they will have had to provide a negative COVID-19 test ahead of the show. The audience will include 2,500 key workers and their guests who had received tickets in recognition of their efforts during the pandemic.

“It’s the first event we’ve been to since the pandemic, there’s a great buzz,” said police nurse Brian George, who brought his 18-year-old daughter to the ceremony.

“I’m hoping that with a few more events like this it’ll be like, by the autumn, let’s open up everything again,” he said, ABC News reported. “That would be fantastic.”

British female singer-songwriters Dua Lipa, Arlo Parks and Celeste are each nominated for three prizes at the awards, Britain’s equivalent of the Grammys.

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DJ Joel Corry and rap duo Young T & Bugsey also have three nominations apiece.

Comedian Jack Whitehall hosts the ceremony, with Lipa and rock band Coldplay among the performers on the night.

The Brits pilot is part of the government’s Events Research Program, which has recently seen crowds return to soccer matches, an outdoor gig and a nightclub.