Adele and Coldplay Score Biggest Wins at 2016 BBC Music Awards

A year after it took the world by storm, Adele‘s “Hello” has been named Song of the Year at the 2016 BBC Music Awards. 

The British songstress took home two of the night’s top accolades at the annual ceremony, including Song of the Year and the BBC Radio 2 Album of the Year Award for 25. Unfortunately, the endlessly busy international star was wrapping up the North American leg of her world tour in Los Angeles and could not be there in person to accept. Still, she sent a heartfelt message in her absence for winning Album of the Year. 

“Thank you for this award,” she wrote. “I feel a bit bad winning it when the album has been out for so long, but nevertheless, you know I love you—always have, always will.”

Upon winning the second nod for her song, the presenters read off another note from the star on her behalf. “I’ll be home soon and I can’t wait. It’s been a long year on the road and this makes me feel al little less homesick,” Adele penned. 

While the singer was in Los Angeles and the ceremony was held in London, Coldplay was in Australia where they accepted the award for British Artist of the Year moments before stepping on stage to perform. 

“We just got told about winning this beautiful BBC Artist of the Year award,” frontman Chris Martin said into the camera. “Sorry we’re not there, we are about to go onstage in Australia,” they said in a video message. “Look at all those people and we love you and we are so grateful and we’ll see you so soon. Thank you so much and goodbye.”

The group beat out Adele, Calvin Harris, David Bowie and Jess Glynne for the title while Adele went head to head with Coldplay for Song of the Year and Album of the Year. Additionally, the 1975 + Live Lounge Symphony‘s rendition of “What Makes You Beautiful” was named the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge Performance Of The Year and Izzy Bizu was named the Introducing Artist of the Year.

While Adele and Coldplay bid 2016 adieu with wins in their native Britain, they can look forward to the 2017 Grammy Awards in America, where the “When We Were Younger” singer is up for five awards and the “Up & Up” group is also nominated.