Adele has confirmed she is to stage a UK arena tour early next year.

The news was revealed to a full-to-capacity crowd at London's Hammersmith Apollo last night, as she asked the audience, “Do you like seeing me in small venues like this one?”

Before waiting for the cheers to die down and adding, “This is the last time you'll catch me at a venue like this. These will be my last theatre dates as I'm moving on to arenas; I'll be at the O2 in February.”

Unfortunately the announcement didn't receive quite the level of adulation she was hoping for and she had to subdue the jeering audience with an explanation, “Too many people want to see my shows. I have to. Don't worry, I'll still get into the crowd and everything. You know I don't like all that arena s**t!”

An official announcement is expected within the coming weeks, with prices, dates and venues yet to be confirmed – other than the O2, that is.

After completing the final three dates of her sell-out UK tour, Adele is heading across the pond to commence her world tour, beginning in Atlantic City on October 7.