Just over a week after her spectacular sweep at the Grammys, British soul diva Adele triumphed on home soil at the annual Brit Awards in London.

I’m so proud to be British and to be flying the flag

The 23-year-old picked up two awards – including the prestigious British album of the year – to add to the six Grammys she won in Los Angeles, cementing her status as one of Britain’s most successful pop exports in years.

Adele – whose career was threatened last year by a throat illness – claimed British female solo artist and best album for 21, which topped the charts in Britain and the United States.

Accepting the best album gong, she said: “Nothing makes me prouder than coming home with six Grammys and then coming home and winning British album of the year.

“I’m so proud to be British and to be flying the flag.”

The singer also thanked her record company “for letting me be the kind of artist that I’ve always wanted to be,” and her fans. “No one’s ever made me feel like I have to be any different, so thank you very much,” she added.

Meanwhile, the organisers of the show yesterday apologised for cutting off the singer’s speech as she accepted the main prize of the ceremony, a move which prompted the British singer to raise her middle finger at the crowd.

Adele said the gesture was not aimed at her fans but was an indication of her frustration at the “suits” who ran Britain’s top music awards, held at London’s O2 Arena.

The presenter, comic actor James Corden, apologised for stepping in, explaining that Blur were waiting to play a set, but Adele lifted her middle finger to the crowd.

“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,” the organisers said in a statement after the event.

“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.”

Speaking to reporters backstage, Adele explained: “I flipped the finger but it wasn’t to my fans. I’m sorry if I offended anyone but it was the suits that offended me.

No one’s ever made me feel like I have to be any different, so thank you so much- Adele

“Thank you all very much and thanks to my fans. I don’t want them to think I was swearing at them.”

Adele’s global chart-topper Rolling at the Deep was beaten to best single by British boy band One Direction’s What Makes You Beautiful.

The home-town winner sang her hit song in front of a packed 02 Arena, only her second performance since undergoing surgery to cure her throat condition.

Fans were shocked to read a post-Grammys interview in which the soul diva said she was taking five years off to “be in love and be happy”. But the singer later laughed this off. Writing in her personal blog shortly afterwards, she said: “I’ve a few days off now, and then it’s the Brit Awards here at home and then I’m straight into the studio. BOYYAHH! 5 years? More like 5 days!”

It was also a successful night for folk-inspired singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran, who won best British male and British breakthrough, and for Coldplay, who were named best British group for a record third time.

US singer Bruno Mars topped the best international male category, while compatriots Foo Fighters picked up the best international group.

Lana Del Rey fought back tears and thanked her record label in Germany as she collected her Brit Award for best international breakthrough.

Barbadian superstar Rihanna – who was awarded best international female – was among the performers along with former Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher and Coldplay.

Veteran four-piece Blur brought the ceremony to a close with breezy renditions of 1990s indie classics Girls and Boys, Song 2 and Parklife.