Adele is "petrified" of performing at the Oscars.

The 24-year-old singer is gearing up for her big comeback performance at the prestigious film awards on February 24 in Los Angeles, where she is expected to perform her Academy Award nominated James Bond track 'Skyfall', but has been suffering from crippling nerves at the thought of being on stage for the first time in a year.

A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "Adele is petrified of her comeback performance. She's been a recluse over the last year being a mum and she knows the whole world will be watching.

"She's been working flat-out to perfect her performance and rebuild her confidence."

The famously secretive 'Someone Like You' superstar gave birth to a son in October and has taken time out to devote herself to the little boy.

Related: Adele gives birth to baby boy

Adele - who is engaged to charity boss Simon Konecki - has rarely been seen in public over the past months, but was spotted last Friday (11.01.13) shopping for baby clothes in Los Angeles.

The bubbly star first took a break from her high-profile lifestyle in 2011 when she cancelled several tour dates due to throat surgery.

She has often spoken of the paralysing fear she suffers on stage, recently confessing: "I'm scared of audiences. It has gotten worse as I have become more successful. "It starts the minute I wake up. If I know I have got a show, I try to potter around and keep busy. I get panicky and sick. I've thrown up a few times."

Adele is thought to be attending tonight's Golden Globes ceremony in LA, but is not expected to perform.

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The 70th annual Golden Globe Awards