HAPPY AND FULFILLED AT ‘THIRTY FREE’ HOW SUCCESS CAN’T CHANGE THE DOWN-TO-EARTH DIVA

REPORT: ROSALIND POWELL

Adele hosts Saturday Night Live in October “for the joy of it” (above) and celebrates turning 33 with a fun-loving Instagram post (left). Friends’ posts included a throwback of her in fancy dress as George Michael (below)

She is one of our greatest and most loved singers, her extraordinary voice entrancing legions of devoted fans for more than a decade with a heartfelt maturity that’s always seemed beyond her years.

It’s hard to believe that Adele, who has won 15 Grammys, nine Brits, an Oscar and a Golden Globe, has achieved so much and is still only 33, a birthday she celebrated last week. Posting three images on Instagram – including one of her twirling, her wavy blonde hair spinning out around her, and another, arms outstretched, enjoying a dip in the sea – she captioned them “Thirty Free”.

Meanwhile her close friends – including make-up artist Michael Ashton and writer Laura Dockrill – took to Instagram to share retro pictures to mark her big day, including one of her in fancy dress as George Michael.

Just as remarkable is the fact that the Londonborn singer, who has sold more than 120 million records worldwide from her three albums – named 19, 21 and 25, her ages at the time – carries her phenomenal success and status with a relatable, down-to-earth quality that doesn’t compromise her privacy. We feel we know Adele, and yet in many ways she remains a mystery. She’s a diva with a difference.