Adele's BRIT cut-off

Singer's speech halted to make way for Blur...

09:19 22 February 2012

Singer Adele is today at the centre of controversy, after she was cut off mid-speech at the BRITs, while picking up her prize for Best British Album.

The Rolling in the Deep singer, who has just returned to performing following surgery on her vocal cord, was halted during her acceptance speech by host James Corden.

Receiving her prize from George Michael, Adele began to speak of her triumph at this yearÂ’s Grammys, saying:

"Nothing makes me prouder than coming home with six Grammys and then coming to the Brits and winning album of the year.

"I'm so proud to be British and to be flying our flag."

However, she was interrupted by Corden in order to introduce final performers, Blur, wrapping things up by saying:

"Can I just say, then, goodbye and I'll see you next time round.”

Adele was then caught live on ITV1Â’s coverage swearing. She has now explained the gesture, telling the BBC:

"I flung the middle finger. That was for the suits at the Brit Awards, not my fans. I'm sorry if I offended anyone but the suits offended me.”

ITV has issued a statement regarding the incident, saying:

"The Brits is a live event. Unfortunately the programme was over-running and we had to move on. We would like to apologise to Adele for the interruption."

Adele won two awards at the annual event, Best British Album and Best British Female, beating Jessie J, Kate Bush, Florence and the Machine and last yearÂ’s winner, Laura Marling.

Other winners included Ed Sheeran, who bagged Best British Male and British Breakthrough, Coldplay, who were voted Best British Group, and newcomer Lana Del Rey, who was crowned Best International Breakthrough.