How to hold your nerve

Even Adele suffers stage fright but, as Lisa Salmon discovers, there are ways to keep cool

- Lisa Salmon

ALL of us suffer from nerves at some point - including singing superstar Adele.

Despite being used to playing in front of huge crowds, she had to restart her hit single Easy On Me as she recorded the ITV special An Audience With Adele in front of celebrity guests at the London Palladium.

With her characteristic honesty, she admitted she was "S******g" herself about performing the Nol single.

"It's human nature to get nervous when you're in a pressure situation, said social psychologist Sandra Wheatley (potentpsychology.com).

"All that adrenaline, which is what makes you feel all gurgly in your tummy, is actually a good thing because it makes the blood flow to all your muscles - which includes your lungs, your heart, your vocal chords - and it makes everything ready to respond.

"When you feel those butterflies, it's to make you speak more loudly, your eyes shine brighter, your smile wider - you're more receptive to success. That's the thing with adrenaline, it is the fight or flight hormone, but it's also something you need because it preps you to succeed.”