X Factor fans were left in shock when Adele teased a 30-second snippet of one of her new song during the show’s ad break.
There was no name, no release date, no album title, but Adele’s voice was instantly recognisable and sent excited fans straight onto Twitter.
The lyrics to the song appeared on the black screen too, saying: “Hello/It’s me/I was wondering if after all these years you’d like to meet/To go over everything.
“They say that time’s supposed to heal ya/But I ain’t done much healing…”
Adele’s highly-anticipated third album is expected to drop in November and is likely to be called 25, following in the theme of her previous two, 19 and 21.
It has been four years since Adele’s last album, and three since she released any new music, when she reached number two with 2012′s Skyfall.
Her sophomore album 21 is the UK’s biggest-selling album of the millennium, shifting a staggering 4.74 million copies and another 11 million in the US alone.
It earned her six Grammy awards and British Album of the Year at the Brit awards.
Big name singers and producers including One Republic’s Ryan Tedder, Danger Mouse, Damon Albarn and songwriter Max Martin have worked with Adele on the upcoming release.
Adele has yet to comment.
Adele is back…I'm not ready pic.twitter.com/TjgMQ7zbOY
— Jamie (@jamster83) October 18, 2015
I've listened to the snippet of Adele's new single more than I've listened to any ex's voicemails post-breakup.
— Alex Goldschmidt (@alexandergold) October 19, 2015
All i care about is Adele right now. I don't want to discuss anything else
— Emma Gannon (@girllostincity) October 18, 2015
Adele 2 minutes after her snippet was released pic.twitter.com/Fl7GkHdAOj
— spooky bruja (@sadxicana) October 18, 2015
The day Adele's next album comes out, I'm selling all of my earthly possessions, save for my iPod and headphones, and wading into the ocean
— Matt Bellassai (@MattBellassai) October 18, 2015
I can't contain my excitement about Adele's new album!! Just heard the little teaser, it sounds amazing. #ADELEISBACK
— Anja (@anjamskog) October 19, 2015
adele has that kind of music that makes you miss that person you made eye contact with on public transportation 7 years ago
— luke (@lukelavergne_) October 18, 2015
Adele has reduced me to tears in just 5 seconds I can't cope
— Kayleigh~Heather (@StreetsOfWonder) October 18, 2015
Adele dropped something just in time for the lonely and cold months. She know her market.
— Rubella Noche (@ithinkmark) October 18, 2015
Adele :)
— OneRepublic (@OneRepublic) October 18, 2015