THE ORGANISERS of the Brit Awards have apologised to singer Adele after cutting short her acceptance speech when she won the main award of the night.
The London singer, 23, won the prize for best British album for ’21′ – but was still mid-speech when host James Corden was forced to interrupt her speech to make time for Blur to close the ceremony.
In response, the singer merely said: “Can I just say, then, goodbye and I’ll see you next time round,” before flipping her middle finger to the crowd.
BBC News reports that the star later explained her gesture was directed at “the suits” who had insisted that her speech be cut short merely so that Blur, who had arranged a special performance to mark their lifetime achievement award, could fit into the live ITV broadcast.
(YouTube credit: telegraphtv)
NME quotes a spokesman for the awards who said it sent “our deepest apologies to Adele that her big moment was cut short this evening due to the live show over-running”.
We don’t want this to undermine her incredible achievement in winning our night’s biggest award. It tops off what’s been an incredible year for her.
Host Corden also said he was “upset” about having to interrupt, saying Blur had been given 11 minutes to play while the biggest winner of the evening was denied a chance to thank her fans. The Sun said Adele herself had left the O2 Arena “seething”.
Though Adele and Ed Sheeran were the biggest winners of the evening, taking two awards each, there was some surprise when the Tottenham songstress was defeated in one category – a fate which had not befallen her at the Grammys last week when she took all six prizes she was nominated for.
The ‘Best Single’ award, which was chosen by public vote, instead went to X Factor group One Direction for ‘What Makes You Beautiful’.
The 2012 Brit Awards: The Winners in Full
- British Female Solo Artist: Adele
- International Male Solo Artist: Bruno Mars
- British Single: One Direction – ‘What Makes You Beautiful’
- International Female Solo Artist: Rihanna
- British Male Solo Artist: Ed Sheeran
- British Group: Coldplay
- International Group: Foo Fighters
- British Breakthrough Act: Ed Sheeran
- International Breakthrough Act: Lana Del Rey
- Mastercard British Album Of The Year: Adele – ’21′
- Critics’ Choice Award: Emeli Sande
- British Producer: Paul Epworth
- Outstanding Contribution To Music: Blur
