“To come back after so long away and be so warmly received means so much”, she said.
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After accepting the award, Adele told the crowd: “I am beyond words in gratitude. thank you is not enough but it is all I have”.
The ceremony included tributes to the late David Bowie before his friend Gary Oldman accepted his icon award. “But your potential was superhuman and your remarkable music is living on”.
British group Coldplay had kicked off proceedings with their song “Hymn for the Weekend”, and also picked up the award for best British group.
Grammy victor Ed Sheeran is up for best video and best single, while six-time Brit winners Coldplay are up for best group and best album for their seventh and possibly last LP, “A Head Full of Dreams”.
Chris Martin and co now have nine trophies to their name, although the figure pales in comparison to Robbie Williams’ 17 awards (12 as a solo artist and five with Take That).
Bieber was named best global male solo artist.
Brit nominee James Bay joined Canadian pop star Justin Bieber as he performed his hit Love Yourself, before Bieber launched into an energetic performance of his chart-topping song Sorry.
“Man, I’m shaking right now”, he said as he took the stage, thanking his fans for their support after a couple of years where he appeared to go off the rails. “Everyone has their ups and downs”.
Adele’s “25” album missed out on a Grammy nomination because its November release date made it ineligible for this year’s awards, so the BRITs gave the British songtress her first major award show recognition for her third studio album, which became the best-selling album of 2015.
Adele used her acceptance speech to voice her support for Tik Tok singer Kesha, who lost a court battle to escape her Sony record contract, which she claims ties her to music producer Dr. Luke, who she has accused of sexually and emotionally abusing her.
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Everyone knows that Adele can be a bit of a loose cannon sometimes. But it was absolutely incredible. And Tim Peake, I love you, I hope you’re okay and not too hungry.
