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Adele has said her fear of playing in front of huge crowds means she will not perform at festivals or in arenas.

The 23-year-old singer said she's scared of having an "anxiety attack".

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

Her second album, 21, has spent a non-consecutive total of 16 weeks at number one in the UK's official album chart, making her the UK's biggest selling artist of the year so far.

Elaborating on why she won't take to the stage at any of the big summer events she explained: "I don't think the music would work either.

"It's all too slow," she told Q magazine.

The Tottenham-born, London artist also said she and her team had turned down the opportunity to book three nights at London's 23,000 capacity venue.

She added: "I'd rather do 12 years at the Barfly (London, 250-capacity venue) than one night at the O2."

"I've made all those decisions and some people are pretty mortified - they think I'm mad."

Currently on tour in the US, where 21 has also topped the album charts, Adele's next gigs in the UK are scheduled to take place in the autumn.