Adele reveals Spice Girls inspiration

South London singer Adele has revealed that she was inspired to make music by the Spice Girls.

Adele, who has won the Brit Awards Critics' Choice gong, claimed that although her music sounds very jazz-influenced, she has always enjoyed pop music just as much.

She told the Daily Star: "I’ve got the Spice Girls to thank for turning me onto music. I was mad about them. I followed their every move. I saw them play recently and they’re still great now.

"I love jazz artists like Etta James and Jill Scott but I also love my pop music. I don’t think there’s been enough good pop music recently - apart from maybe Mika."

Talking about her childhood musical heroes, she added: "I was really into East 17 when I was growing up. Seeing them reunite a while ago was really emotional for me. I was gutted they didn’t stick together."

Adele recently topped the Sound of 2008 poll, which tips acts that critics believe will become successful in the forthcoming year.

> Adele chats to Digital Spy