Adele gives suits single finger salute (From Your Local Guardian)

BRIT school graduate wins awards amid swearing controversy

10:52am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Croydon By Hannah Williamson

Adele walked away from the Brits with two awards and an apology last night.

The 23-year-old former BRIT school pupil scooped best British female and best British album at the ceremony held at the O2.

But the night was plunged into controversy when host James Corden had to cut short the singer's acceptance speech for the best British album because the show was overrunning.

The singer, who penned a number of her hits in a flat above a discount shop in West Norwood, added the awards to the six Grammys she won earlier this month.

Accepting the best album prize, the final and most prestigious award of the night she said: "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."

The singer was then interrupted by Corden and stuck her middle finger up at the crowd.

After the ceremony she said: "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."

Brit Award bosses later issued a statement apologising to the singer after 'cutting Adele' became a trending topic on Twitter.

The statement said: "We regret this happened and we send our deepest apologies to Adele that her big moment was cut short due to the live show over running.

"We don't want this to undermine her incredible achievement in winning our night's biggest award, that tops off what's been an incredible year for her."