The singer was midway through her acceptance speech for the night's most prestigious prize, Album of the Year, when host James Corden interrupted her to make way for Blur's 11-minute performance.

The Daily Mail reports that Adele said to Corden: "Are you about to cut me off? Can I just say then, goodbye and I'll see you next time round."

She then made the gesture, to the delight of the crowd.

Adele shows the middle finger during the Brit Awards

"I flung the middle finger at the suits, not the fans, I want people to know that," Adele said in a backstage interview afterwards.

"Sorry if I offended anyone, but the people in suits offended me. I wasn't swearing at the fans, but I didn't get to complete my thank you speech!"

ITV, the channel which broadcast the ceremony, issued a statement shortly afterwards apologising for cutting the singer short.

"We regret this happened and we send deepest apologies to Adele that her big moment was cut short tonight due to the live show over-running.

"We don't want this to undermine her incredible achievement in winning her incredible award," ITV said in the statement.

The Sun reports that Corden later tweeted: "Can't believe I was told to cut off the amazing Adele."

Adele wasn't the only one who didn't take too kindly to the interruption: there were boos from the crowd while some celebrities weighed in on Twitter.

The BBC's Dan Walker tweeted: "I like Blur but that was like interrupting the Queen's Christmas address to put on a re-run of Eldorado."

Singer Lily Allen also wasn't impressed, tweeting: "I can't say I'm surprised . It was like the music industry's attitude to women played out as a metaphor."

Adele also won the Best Female Artist award.