James Corden very upset over having to cut short Adele's speech

Herald Globe (ANI) Thursday 23rd February, 2012

James Corden, who was made to interrupt Adele's emotional acceptance speech at the Brit Music Awards so that 'Blur' could perform, has told of his fury after ITV bosses forced him to do so.

The 23-year-old singer, who picked up the gongs for Best Female and Best Album at the glittering awards, was cut short as she accepted the second honour.

"I can't believe that's what they were asking me to do. I delayed for 15 seconds. They wanted to cut her short as time was running out," the Sun quoted Corden as telling London's O2.

The 33-year-old actor also revealed that Adele was "really upset" when he went to her dressing room to apologise.

The '21' hitmaker was so upset at being interrupted that she angrily delivered a one-fingered salute on stage and left the ceremony straight after talking to the media.

Brits organisers and ITV apologised for the speech being curtailed due to "pressures of live TV" and also said sorry to Corden.

"I was furious and put in a horrible position," Corden said.

"I went straight to Adele's dressing room and she was fine with me, but really upset.

"She had a speech and had a list of people she wanted to thank," he said.

The 'Gavin and Stacey' star drew jeers from the audience as he cut across Adele's speech at the climax of Tuesday's show, which was screened on ITV1.

According to Corden, he held out as long as possible before cutting her short saying that he had first been asked to do so after she uttered the words "Thank you".

"The truth is, just after Adele said, 'Thank you' people were saying, 'You have to go in now'," Corden said.

"I said, 'I can't. How can you cut her off'?

"The whole room was on its feet and they said, 'You've got to do it now'.

"And then essentially it was just such a surreal moment and everything you can hear in your ear is about five people having an argument - and there's one overriding voice saying, 'James, you have to'," he said.

Blur's Damon Albarn had earlier delivered a rambling acceptance speech for his band's Outstanding Contribution prize.

"I was so upset and can understand why Adele was. I didn't even watch Blur, one of my favourite bands.

"I explained to Adele that - if I had my way - we'd push the news for a minute and half.

"If it was up to me or the executive producer, that would have happened, but we can't make that call.

"It would have been a wonderful TV moment for Adele to have her real moment in the sun and then Blur come on.

"It's a shame we're even talking about it," he added. (ANI)