With the festival season nearly upon us there is one name in the music industry who is very conspicuously not featured on any of the billings – Adele.

Adele, who has spent 18 non consecutive weeks at number one in the UK album chart, is not appearing at any festivals this year despite her being one of the most popular artists of the moment.

She told Q Magazine that she is worried about having an attack of stage fright and has therefore declined to perform on the big stage.

“I will not do festivals. The thought of an audience that big frightens the life out of me,” said Adele.

She added: “I don't think the music would work either. It's all too slow.”

Adele confirmed that she and her team had been offered the chance to book three nights at the O2 arena in London but had turned it down as the 23,000 capacity venue is considered to be too big.

“I would rather do 12 years at the Barfly than one night at the O2. I have made all those decisions and some people are pretty mortified – they think I am mad,” said Adele.