Adele has topped off yet another remarkable year by being named Billboard's top artis of 2012, whilst her second album, the hit 21, was named top album of the year in the music magazine's annual review.

The Brit singer, who also won six Grammys in February this year, was also crowned female artist of the year by the magazine too, with Canadian R&B artist Drake taking the male equivalent home. Meanwhile, fellow Brits and former X Factor contestants One Direction rounded off their phenomenally successful year by being named top new artist, but were beaten to the post of top group by Maroon 5.

In the singles department, the magazine deemed that Gotye's 'Somebody That I Used to Know,' Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Call Me Maybe' and Fun's 'We Are Young' as the top three tracks in that order. Each of the lists are based on chart performance, as well as streaming and social data.

Adele, who is now 24, began her meteorical rise to the top in March 2011, when her second album 21 went straight to US and UK number one album spot, staying in the top ten in the US until the beginning of September this year. During that time, it spent 24 weeks at the top spot. Add that to her armful of chart-topping singles, Grammys and now a top Bond theme, being named artist of the year is more than deserved for the singer.