Adele is seen on a screen as she accepts the award for Global Success at the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, February 22, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

Other winners included girl band Little Mix, who won the "British single" prize for the song "Shout Out to My Ex." Singer Emeli Sande picked up the "British female solo artist" prize.

The "British Group" accolade went to band The 1975.

Songstress Adele, whose album "25" triumphed at last year's BRITs and the Grammys, won the "BRITS global success award" for international sales of that same chart-topping work.

Singer-songwriter Rag'n'Bone Man, who was already announced as the "Critics Choice" pick for this year's awards, took "British Breakthrough Act." He also beat Skepta, who performed but went home empty-handed despite three nominations.

While the ceremony mainly honours British music and artists,it also has categories for international male and female solo artists as well as international group. Drake, Beyonce and A Tribe Called Quest won those categories, respectively.

Criticised last year for not representing non-white artists, organisers in November said they had invited more than 700 potential new voters to join the BRITs Voting Academy in a bid to "achieve greater gender balance as well as increased black, Asian and minority ethnic representation."

Related:

What's on in Beijing (Feb 18-24)

'Wicked' prepares to bring more magic to China