(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Adele has issued an apology after swearing at last night's Brit Awards.

The 23-year-old singer was picking up her second trophy of the night for Best Album when her acceptance speech was cut short by host James Corden.

The Someone Like You singer was unhappy about being shut down and stuck her middle finger up during the live televised broadcast.

But she subsequently said that she was having an outburst at "the suits, not the fans".

When she realised that her time was being shortened so producers had enough space for Blur's performance Adele hurriedly ended what she was saying.

"Oh alright, I'm sorry and I'll see you this time next year!" she said before making the obscene sign.

But at the winner's conference backstage she immediately addressed the issue with the waiting reporters.

"Can I just say sorry for swearing?" she said. "I flung the middle finger at the suits, not the fans, I want people to know that.

"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!"

Adele added to her recent six Grammy wins last night by picking up prizes for Best Album for 21 and Best British Female Solo Artist. (C) Cover Media