AFP - The Brit Awards apologised Wednesday for cutting off Adele's speech as she accepted the main prize of the ceremony, a move which prompted thesinger to raise her middle finger at the crowd.

British singer 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 23-year-old's success at the Brits capped an incredible year, which has seen her second album "21" top the charts around the world and saw her win six Grammys at Los Angeles last week -- a haul matched only by Beyonce.

But as she stood on stage late Tuesday to collect her Brit Award for best album, having receiving the best British female solo award earlier in the night, she barely had time for a few thank-yous before she was cut off.

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, the singer 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.

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

In her brief acceptance speech, which followed her first performance in Britain since undergoing throat surgery last year, Adele said she was "so proud to be British and to be flying the flag".