Adele named songwriter of year at UK’s Ivor Novello Awards

LONDON – Adele was named songwriter of the year at Britain’s prestigious Ivor Novello songwriting awards on Thursday.

The singer won the prize Thursday for her third album, “25,” which was the world’s bestselling album in 2015. She took the same award in 2012 for her album “21.”

Adele sent a video message from Germany, where she is on tour. She said, “I won on my last album as well so to win on this one is a dream.

“I was secretly pregnant then so I couldn’t enjoy the night as well,” she said. “But cheers, bottoms up, enjoy.”

James Bay’s “Hold Back the River” took the prize for the most-played song in Britain in 2015, and “Darling Arithmetic” by Villagers won the album award.

The inspiration award went to “Madchester” band Happy Mondays, while Simple Minds won the outstanding song collection prize.

Blur’s Damon Albarn won the lifetime achievement award, and Bryan Adams received an international award as “a major influence on the British music industry.”

The awards are presented by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors. They are named for early 20th-century musician and songwriter Ivor Novello, who composed hits including “Keep the Home-Fires Burning.”