Adele appeared to wade into the debate over gender identity last night, by declaring "I love being a woman" while collecting a gender-neutral Brit Award.
The singer secured a trio of wins including Artist of the Year, a newly created category merging the old Best Male and Best Female awards, beating Ed Sheeran.
Taking to the stage, Adele said: "I understand why the name of this award has changed but I really love being a woman and being a female artist. I do. I am really proud of us."
She saw off competition from three male artists, including Sheeran, Hip-Hop star Dave and singer Sam Fender, as well as female rapper Little Simz.
The 33-year-old also claimed Song of the Year for her power ballad Easy On Me and Album of the Year, proving that her decision to cancel a string of Las Vegas shows had not dented her popularity.
In a ceremony held at the O2 Arena and hosted by comedian Mo Gilligan, Adele performed her ballad I Drink Wine, her first public UK performance since last November.
The singer became the first solo artist to win the Album of the Year prize three times.
Adele was photographed on the red carpet wearing what appeared to be a large diamond ring, prompting speculation on social media that she is engaged to her sports agent boyfriend Rich Paul.
Accepting her award for Song of the Year, she said: “I can’t believe a piano ballad won against that many bangers. Thank you so much. It’s always a pleasure to be here. I always love coming home.”
She was also named Artist of the Year, a newly created category merging the old Best Male and Best Female awards, beating Ed Sheeran.
Sheeran received a consolation prize in the form of an award for Best Songwriter, another new category.
Adele first won the album prize in 2012 for 21, her second album, and won again in 2016 with 25. Her winning album this year, 30, chronicles motherhood and divorce.
The Tottenham-born singer flew back from Los Angeles, where she now lives, to perform at the Brits ceremony.
It was her first public performance since the postponement of her Las Vegas residency only 24 hours before the first show was set to begin at Caesars Palace.
Many fans had spent thousands travelling to Las Vegas. In an attempt at damage limitation, Adele called some of them personally to apologise.
She blamed “delivery delays and Covid” for the postponement, although industry experts said that did not explain why she was unable to give more than a days’ notice. Rescheduled dates have yet to be announced.
In a tearful video message, the singer said she was “upset and embarrassed” to cancel the gigs but insisted that the show was not ready to unveil to fans.
It was reported that Adele was unhappy with aspects of the set design, including an onstage pool which she is said to have described as looking like a “baggy old pond”.
She has spoken in the past about suffering from debilitating stage fright, saying: “I have anxiety attacks, constant panicking on stage, my heart feels like it’s going to explode because I never feel like I’m going to deliver, ever.
“I get fidgety, I moan, I complain, I try to escape, I try to get out.”
Adele has now amassed 12 Brit Award wins in her career, the highest for any female artist. Robbie Williams holds the record with 18 wins.
The star’s career is closely linked to the Brit Awards. After she performed her new single Someone Like You at the 2011 ceremony, it shot to number one in the UK singles charts.
Anne-Marie's fall provokes mockery on social media
Anne-Marie took a tumble during her performance at the Brit Awards - but managed to recover and finish her set.
The pop singer, 30, made an entrance from inside a giant heart while performing her hit Don't Play with YouTuber and rapper KSI and Digital Farm Animals.
However, she appeared to slip as she descended a flight of steps onto the stage at London's O2 Arena after letting go of one of her dancer's hands.
Despite her tumble, The Voice UK coach pushed on with her set, which she concluded by letting out a sharp laugh.
Posting on Twitter after going off stage, she joked: "Didn't need my left ankle anyway."
A spoof account claiming to be the voice of her ankle was quickly set up on Twitter, which Anne-Marie took in her stride:
Fans on social media sent messages of support and praised her for carrying on with her performance.
Some compared it with the moment Madonna toppled down some steps while performing at the 2015 Brit Awards.
New categories and rules set the tone
This year’s ceremony was held at London’s O2 Arena and hosted by Mo Gilligan, the comedian. Audience members were allowed to attend only if they could provide proof of a negative lateral flow or vaccination status.
Several new categories were introduced, with the winner chosen by fans.
Dave was named Best Hip Hop/Rap/Grime Act, Becky Hill won the Best Dance Act award, Sam Fender took home Best Rock/Alternative Act and Dua Lipa won the Best Pop/R&B Act prize.
Inflo, real name Dean Josiah Cover, was named best producer for his work on Adele’s album, amongst others.
Billie Eilish, who sang No Time To Die, the theme tune to the eponymous Bond film, was named Best International Artist.
The Brits Academy announced last November that it was scrapping its Best Female and Best Male categories, for both domestic and international performers, in order to be “as inclusive as possible”.
Nominations for the Brit Awards this year feature the most women in more than a decade, with 18 female artists or all-women groups receiving nods.
One of Britain’s most successful pop stars is Sam Smith, who was excluded from the gendered categories after identifying as non-binary.
Maya Jama showcased what appeared to be an engagement ring as she walked the red carpet.
The TV presenter, 27, reportedly became engaged to American basketball player Ben Simmons, 25, over the festive period.
Simmons, who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, is signed with sports agency Klutch Sports, which is primarily owned by Rich Paul, the boyfriend of Adele.
Jama posed for the cameras outside London's O2 Arena with the large ring clearly on show, wearing a revealing black outfit that featured a black crop top. Neither has so far confirmed the reports.
The piece was reminiscent of the so-called Mohawk dress by Bob Mackie that Cher wore to the 1986 Oscars.
Jama parted ways with ex-boyfriend Stormzy in summer 2019, after more than four years together.
She and BBC radio DJ Clara Amfo were tasked with welcoming award nominees to the arena during the official red carpet show.
The Brit Awards 2022 will air live on ITV from the O2 Arena in London from 8pm.