Adele - Adele Triumphs Again At Brit Awards

The singer, who scooped six Grammys earlier this month (Feb12), continued her incredible run of success by fighting off competition from Florence and the MAChine, Jessie J, Kate Bush and Laura Marling to win the award.

Accepting her prize, Adele trembled with excitement as she told the audience, "Thank you so much... it's been an amazing year, thank you."

Bruno Mars was also celebrating early at the ceremony as he was named International Male Solo Artist, and Emeli Sande received the Critics Choice award, for most promising act of the next 12 months.

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. Other acts due to perform at the prizegiving include Rihanna, Adele, and Noel Gallagher.

Guests were also treated to a tribute to Whitney Houston as clips of the tragic singer, who died earlier this month (Feb12), were broadcast on screens around the venue.

Later in the evening Blur, who are due to close the ceremony with a medley of their hits, will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music honour.