While we were focused on Rihanna's best international artist title at Tuesday night's Brit Awards (see today's print tbt*), it sounds like Adele's middle finger is what's getting all the press. But ever the mannered culture, the executives for the British version of the Grammys are the ones who apologized for her rude gesture on live TV. If only M.I.A. could have gotten a break like that.

Adele flipped the bird when her acceptance speech for best British album was cut short by the show. She was allowed to say, "Nothing makes me prouder than coming home with six Grammys and then coming to the Brits and winning album of the year. I'm so proud to be British and to be flying our flag." Then they told her she was being booted, so she finished with, "Can I just say, then, goodbye and I'll see you next time round" and up popped the middle finger, which was shown briefly on television (watch below). Our fault, the Brit Awards said.

"We regret this happened and we send our deepest apologies to Adele that her big moment was cut short," a spokesman for the ceremony told the BBC. "We don't want this to undermine her incredible achievement in winning our night's biggest award. It tops off what's been an incredible year for her."

Adele, who also won best British female artist, clarified backstage the finger was meant for whomever decided to cut her off. "I flung the middle finger," she said. "That was for the suits at the Brit Awards, not my fans. I'm sorry if I offended anyone but the suits offended me." At least she livened up another dull awards show.

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