Adele wins Brit award for 'Skyfall'

London: Adele has been honoured at this year's Brit Awards ceremony at London's O2 Arena.

Among other winners were Emeli Sande, who won best British female and British album, and Ben Howard, who scooped best British male and breakthrough, the BBC reported.

Adele won best single for her James Bond theme 'Skyfall' - but she was not at the event, instead choosing to rehearse for the Oscars in Los Angeles.

She sent a video message referring to last year's ceremony, when her best album acceptance speech was cut short.

"Thank you so much for this Brit Award, it means a lot. Sorry I can't be with you tonight, I'm in LA rehearsing for the Oscars. I won't keep you too long because I don't want to interrupt the best album speech at the end of the night. But I love you all," she said.

Sande's debut album 'Our Version Of Events' was the most popular album of 2012 in the UK, selling 1.4 million copies.

Folk rock band Mumford and Sons were named best British group.

Coldplay won best British live act, beating The Rolling Stones, who were nominated 35 years after they were shortlisted for the first ever Brit Awards.

In the international categories, the Black Keys won best group, Frank Ocean was named best male and Lana Del Rey picked up best female.

A special recognition award went to the charity War Child, while there was a "global success award" for boy band One Direction in recognition of their hit status overseas.

The night's performers included Robbie Williams, Muse, Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake.