Adele - Adele Scoops Two Brit Awards

The singer, who scooped six Grammys earlier this month (Feb12), continued her incredible run of success by also fighting off competition from Florence and the MAChine, Jessie J, Kate Bush and Laura Marling to be named best British Female Solo Artist.

Choking back tears, she told the audience, "Thank you very, very much. 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 the flag. Thank you - I'll see you next time around."

Rising star Ed Sheeran was also celebrating a double delight as he was named British Male Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act, and Coldplay won the British Group prize - the third time they've scooped the honour, taking their career total of Brit Awards to seven.

Bruno Mars was named International Male Solo Artist, and Rihanna took the award for International Female Solo Artist for the second year running, ahead of fellow stars including Lady Gaga and Beyonce.

The Umbrella hitmaker told the audience, "To all my fans who continue to support me no matter what, I love you - this is for you. My fans always remind me to be myself and I'll never forget you for that."

Other winners at the event included Foo Fighters, who scooped the International Group honour, and Lana Del Rey, who was awarded the International Breakthrough Act prize.

Boy band One Direction, who were put together by Simon Cowell on The X Factor, won the award for British Single for their track What Makes You Beautiful, seeing off competition from Adele and Jessie J.

Coldplay opened the event at the O2 Arena in London with a performance of new single Charlie Brown, followed by Florence and the MAChine with No Light, No Light.

Adele performed her hit Rolling in the Deep, Rihanna wowed the crowd with a raunchy rendition of We Found Love, during which she emerged from a paint-spattered glass box wearing white hotpants and Timberland boots, and Noel Gallagher performed his single Aka... What a Life!

Guests were also treated to poignant video tributes to Amy Winehouse, who died in July last year (11), and Whitney Houston, who passed away earlier this month (Feb12).

Blur, who set a record in 1995 for the most Brit wins at one ceremony by scooping a total of four, received the Outstanding Contribution to Music honour before closing the event by performing several of their hits including Parklife and Song 2.

Receiving the award from movie hardman Ray Winstone, frontman Damon Albarn said, "Last time we were here was 17 years ago, and what happened that night seemed to have a very profound effect on our lives, so it's nice to come back and say thank you very much for this honour."

The full list of winners is as follows:

- British Male Solo Artist: Ed Sheeran

- British Female Solo Artist: Adele

- British Breakthrough Act: Ed Sheeran

- British Group: Coldplay

- British Single: One Direction (What Makes You Beautiful)

- British Album of the Year: Adele (21)

- International Male Solo Artist: Bruno Mars

- International Female Solo Artist: Rihanna

- International Group: Foo Fighters

- International Breakthrough Act: Lana Del Rey

- Outstanding Contribution to Music: Blur

- Critics Choice: Emeli Sande

- British Producer: Ethan Johns.