'I've wanted to do this my whole life but I've been too scared!' Adele lights up Glastonbury's Pyramid stage as she overcomes nerves for triumphant set

PUBLISHED: 23:15, 25 June 2016 | UPDATED: 00:27, 26 June 2016

She once said her music would never work at a festival.

But Adele proved herself wrong on Saturday night, drawing a crowd of thousands to Glastonbury's famous Pyramid Stage for her headline slot at the 2016 festival.

The Hello singer dressed to impress for her big moment in a stunning sequin gown, showing little sign of the nerves which have previously stopped her from agreeing to a performance at the world famous festival.

Rolling in the mud! Adele drew a crowd of thousands to Glastonbury's famous Pyramid Stage for her headline slot at the 2016 festival on Saturday night

The singer chose a dazzling dress for her big night, with the gown studded in sequins and featuring dramatic winged sleeves.

Playing to a crowd stretching back as far as the eye could see, the chart-topping star opened with her smash hit Hello, the lead single from her latest record breaking album 25.

The star changed one of the lyrics to say 'I've been Glastonbury dreaming,' prompting a huge cheer from the crowd.

Stunning: The singer chose a dazzling dress for her big night, with the gown studded in sequins and featuring dramatic winged sleeves

Hello, is anyone there? Playing to a crowd stretching back as far as the eye could see, the chart-topping star opened with her smash hit Hello, the lead single from her latest record breaking album 25

Glam: The singer dressed to impress for her big moment in a stunning sequin gown

She told her fans they looked 'amazing', before emotionally admitting to the thousands who had turned out to see her: 'Oh my God, this is the best moment of my life. Glastonbury means the world to me, I'm not even lying. I've always wanted to do this my whole life but I've been too scared.'

She then pointed out a young girl in the crowd and told her she'd been coming to the festival 'since I was your age' and invited her on stage for an impromptu selfie.

The star has previously declined to play at Glastonbury because of her fear of performing in front of large crowds.

In 2011 she told Q magazine: ''I have anxiety attacks, constant panicking on stage, my heart feels like it’s going to explode because I never feel like I’m going to deliver, ever.

What a moment: The superstar pointed out a young girl in the crowd and told her she'd been coming to the festival 'since I was your age' and invited her on stage for an impromptu selfie

A moment to remember: Adele's new pal could barely contain her excitement as she was invited on stage

She's done it! The star showed little sign of the nerves which have previously stopped her from agreeing to a performance at the world famous festival

'I will not do festivals. The thought of an audience that big frightens the life out of me.

'I don't think the music would work either. It's all too slow.I’d hate to book a festival and have a f****** anxiety attack and then not go on stage.'

According to The Sun newspaper, Adele's manager Jonathan Dickins was overheard telling a pal ahead of the 28-year-old's set: 'She's nervous. She hasn't got here yet. I think anyone would be nervous playing in front of that crowd. I'm nervous myself. I've got a twinge!'

Party time! The star proved her critics, and herself wrong, with her electrifying atmosphere

Finally made it: The star has previously declined to play at Glastonbury because of her fear of performing in front of large crowds

What a welcome: In 2011 she told Q magazine: 'I have anxiety attacks, constant panicking on stage, my heart feels like it’s going to explode because I never feel like I’m going to deliver, ever'

'Best moment of my life': The star became emotional as she thanked the 'amazing crowd'

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Adele's mother is camping at Glastonbury.

The 'Hello' hitmaker's mum Penny Adkins has been put up in the luxury Green Fields campsite, because she insisted on experiencing the music extravaganza 'in full' and wanted to be close to the action.

A source told Mirror Celeb: 'Penny loves a party just as much as Adele and she wouldn't miss her headlining Glastonbury for the world. She wants the full experience and is camping in the Green Fields with some of the staff.'

Not on her own: Adele was backed by an orchestra and singers for her epic set

What nerves? Despite being vocal about her battles with stage fright, the star's practice with her world tour seems to have worked wonders for her nerves

Sing it back: There was plenty of interaction with the audience as they sang along to her catalogue of hits

Drama: The star got into the spirit of the festival with her epic collection of smash hits

Penny could easily have opted to stay with her daughter in a five-star hotel off-site and sleep in a comfy bed, but the enthusiastic mum wanted to get stuck in and mingle with the fans who have flocked to the site this weekend.

The source added: 'She always supports Adele at her gigs but this is going to be a special night for her watching her daughter headline the Pyramid Stage.

'Penny is very laid back and even though she could have been put up in a house nearby she chose to really get involved.'