Four-gong conclusion as Adele makes Brits history

Adele has become the most successful solo artist in a single year at the Brit Awards after she took home four major trophies.

The Hello singer picked up the most coveted award of the night - British album of the year - for 25, as well as winning British female solo artist, best British single and scooping the global success award.

It is the first time four awards have gone to the same winner since Blur's 1995 success.

The singer closed the ceremony at London's O2 Arena with a performance of her song When We Were Young, after giving an emotional speech.

She thanked Simon Konecki, her boyfriend and the father of her son, Angelo, saying: "I'm so lucky to have you love me the way you do and to support me.

"This album was really hard to make, it was, and I think I was a nightmare sometimes so thank you, and thank you for our lovely son, who is the love of my life.

"This is all for you peanut, I love you so much. I love you, I love you, thank you so much, all of you, you are so amazing, I'm so honoured to be here."

Earlier in the evening Major Tim Peake surprised her from space, via video, to announce her global success award.

Adele's also announced she was supporting American singer Kesha who has been embroiled in a lawsuit with her mentor/producer Dr Luke. A court recently denied a preliminary injunction which would allow her to record music outside of her record label contract.

Adele said: "I'd like to take a quick second to thank my management and my record label for embracing the fact I'm a woman and being encouraged by it and I'd also like to take this moment to publicly support Kesha."

British male solo artist winner James Bay joined Justin Bieber, who was named International male solo artist, as he performed his hit Love Yourself, before Bieber launched into an energetic performance of his chart-topping song Sorry.

Coldplay were named best British group and dedicated their award to musicians in refugee camps around the world.

Lead singer Chris Martin said: "We'd like to dedicate this to all the young men and women musicians in refugee camps around the world. They could be us and we could be them, so we send them our love and thank you so much for giving us our job."

The ceremony included tributes to the late David Bowie before his friend Gary Oldman accepted his icon award.

The Blackstar singer died from cancer unexpectedly in January this year.

Oldman said: "I never once heard him complain. I can share with you that David faced his illness with enormous courage, dignity, grace and customary humour.

"Even in dire circumstances, when he wrote to tell me the bad news he added, the good news is, I've got my cheek bones back.

"He was the sweetest soul ever with the the best cheekbones until it was done. David, you were mortal but your potential was superhuman and your remarkable music is living on. We love you and we thank you."

Oldman introduced singer Lorde, saying Bowie had thought she was "the future of music".

Lorde's musical tribute included Bowie hits such Space Oddity and Starman.

The ceremony also included a performance by Rihanna who was joined by singer Drake, as she performed her new song Work.