Four-gong conclusion as Adele makes Brits history

Adele has become the most successful artist in one year since Blur in 1995, winning four major awards at this year's Brit Awards.

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.

Her four wins mean she is also the most successful solo act in any one year at the awards show, held at London's O2 Arena.

The singer closed the show with a performance of her song When We Were Young, after giving an emotional speech.

Collecting her last award, she thanked her fans and apologised for swearing on live TV.

She thanked her boyfriend and the father of her son, Simon Konecki, 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.

She used her first win to announce she was supporting singer Kesha.

American singer Kesha has been embroiled in a lawsuit with her mentor/producer Dr Luke, and 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."

Brit nominee James Bay joined Canadian pop star Justin Bieber as he performed his hit Love Yourself, before Bieber launched into an energetic performance of his chart-topping song Sorry.

Bay was later named British male solo artist and thanked his record labels and family, adding at the end of his speech: "Thank you so much, this is insane."

Award hosts Ant and Dec were taken by surprise when a model wearing a mostly see-through all-in-one outfit came and stood between them as they announced singer Jess Glynne's performance. Following an advert break, they also apologised for Adele's on-screen swearing, explaining that the "bleep man" had not caught her swear word fast enough.

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

Lead singer Chris Martin referenced the members of boy band One Direction as he pointed to his fellow Coldplay members, saying: "What a treat from Harry, Zayn, Liam and me, Niall."

He added: "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."

Bieber was named best international male solo artist.

He said: "This just shows life is a journey, everybody has their own journey, everyone has their ups and downs. I want to take this moment to thank all of my fans."

Superstar Rihanna was joined by singer Drake, who made a surprise appearance as she performed her new song Work.

Annie Lennox paid tribute 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.

Lennox said: "David Bowie is deeply embedded in the heart of British culture. The legend of his extraordinary sound shall be revered for as long as the Earth shall spin."

Oldman gave a heart-warming speech before introducing singer Lorde who performed a tribute, and Oldman said Bowie had thought was "the future of music".

Oldman said of the Ziggy Stardust singer: "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 said.

"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."

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