Adele Flips the Bird After Getting Cut Off at Brit Awards

After winning the best-album prize, the singer didn't react well after being bumped for Blur.

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In a Brit awards of few highlights (though you can see the best and worst performances right here), the major talking point has quickly become Adele’s reaction to having her acceptance speech for best British album curtailed.

After taking to the stage to accept the main award of the night (receiving her second Brit of the show from no less a British music legend than George Michael), a clearly emotional Adele stated that, “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.”

(LIST: TIME’s Top 10 Albums of 2011)

But before you could hum the opening bars to “Rolling In the Deep,” host James Corden (to his credit, rather sheepishly) approached the singer, explaining that he needed to introduce Blur, the recipients of this year’s outstanding contribution. At first, Adele seemed to take the news in her stride, addressing the crowd and telling them, “Can I just say, then, goodbye and I’ll see you next time round.”

Before the cameras could switch to Blur, her offensive gesture was momentarily visible on the live broadcast. But those in the O2 Arena (who could be heard booing the decision to cut her off) got a good glimpse of Adele’s middle digit. She later apologized, saying, “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.”

If anything, her visible anger has arguably driven both the host, Corden, and network airing the show, ITV1, into apology mode. Corden went on ITV2’s post-Brits program and explained “I just feel bad about having to cut Adele off. I really don’t understand quite why I was made to, but it’s not a very nice way to end … She’s the biggest star in the world. I don’t understand what happened but I’m upset about it.” And the network was just as contrite, releasing the following statement: “The Brits is a live event. Unfortunately the programme was over-running and we had to move on. We would like to apologise to Adele for the interruption.”

But you have to wonder whether Adele will be quite so willing to move on: she recently took the Grammys by storm, and didn’t experience any such issues upon winning her six awards. Her hometown show only bestowed a third of the prizes, and provided even less time when it came to giving a speech.

LIST: TIME Grades the Brit Performances