Jarvis Cocker (Jarvis Branson Cocker) was born on 19 September 1963, in Sheffield, England is an English Britpop musician, best known for fronting the band Pulp.

Cocker invaded the stage at the 1996 BRIT Awards to protest against Michael Jackson's performance. Jackson performed surrounded by children and a rabbi, while making 'Christ-like' poses and performing his then-recent hit, "Earth Song".

Cocker and his friend Peter Mansell (a former Pulp member) performed an impromptu stage invasion in protest. In the ensuing confusion, as others attempted to eject Cocker from the stage, three child performers received minor injuries.

Cocker was later detained and interviewed by the police on suspicion of assault. He was subsequently released without charge. Opinions from the press on Cocker's actions were mixed.

The March 2, 1996, edition of Melody Maker, for example, suggested Cocker should be knighted, while Cocker's friend Noel Gallagher, of Oasis fame claimed "Jarvis Cocker is a star and he should be given an MBE".