LONDON (REUTERS) - Adele was handed the award for the British album of the year at the 2016 Brit award ceremony in London on Wednesday night for 25, the fourth accolade of the night for the singer.

Adele beat off competition from Coldplay, Florence and the Machine, James Bay and Jamie xx to scoop the award.

"This album was really hard to make," a visibly emotional Adele said as she picked up the statue, dedicating it to her partner, Simon Konecki.

"He is the love of my life and this is all for you Simon, I love you such."

Earlier, the singer also picked up the award for British single of the year for her song Hello and best British female artist.

Meanwhile, late visionary British rock star David Bowie was honoured with a posthumous "Icon" award.

Bowie was paid an emotional tribute first by British singer Annie Lennox, then by his friend, British actor Gary Oldman, who picked up the award on Bowie's behalf.

"The world lost an artist of transcendent talent," Oldman said. "He was the very definition, the living embodiment of that singular word: icon."

New Zealand singer Lorde performed Bowie's hit song Life On Mars in tribute to the singer after the award was announced.