The reaction says everything about Adele’s all-powerful position in British music that, having rudely flicked her middle finger at record company bosses on national television on Tuesday night, she was the one to receive multiple apologies yesterday.

In a chaotic climax to the 2012 Brit Awards, the singer was ‘cut off’ while in the middle of her acceptance speech after winning Album of the Year.

‘Nothing makes me prouder than coming home with six Grammys, then coming to the Brits and winning Album of the Year,’ said Adele. ‘I am so, so proud to be British and to be flying the flag and to be in the same room as all of you.’

Childish: Adele rudely sticks up her middle finger after her speech is cut short

She opened her mouth to continue, but was stopped by the presenter, actor James Corden, who had been told that they were out of time and needed to cut to Blur’s finale in honour of the band’s Outstanding Contribution to Music award.

‘Can I just say, then, goodbye and I’ll see you next time round,’ she said.

And with that she gave the seated record executives who surrounded the stage a proudly raised middle finger, accompanied by a defiant grimace.

It was enough to leave the most powerful men in the music business choking on their cannon of lamb, and spitting out their swigs of the finest Cotes de Rhone.