The mystery man who inspired Adele's album of heartbreak was reportedly photographer Alex Sturrock.

The 'Someone Like You' singer penned album '21' about her devastating split with an unnamed man - who she has so far refused to identify.

But according to a new report, her lost love was non other than the 31-year-old snapper who she is believed to have dated between the summer of 2008 and spring 2009.

A source said: ''It was an intense period for them. They met through mutual friends and hit it off straight away. He shot her a few times and that was just it.

''They spent all their time together - and when they weren't together they would ring each other constantly.''

Adele, 23, is said to have employed him as the official photographer on her US tour, where they shared hotel rooms.

The insider said: ''He's a very normal guy and they'd laugh a lot together, eat junk food and ignore the fact that her career was about to go stratospheric.

''Adele relied on him a lot, he was her best mate as well as her boyfriend and he was very protective of her.

''He'd say no one knew her like he did.''

However, despite living together at Adele's house in west London, the source claims Alex refused to call the Grammy Award-winning star his ''girlfriend''.

Talking to heat magazine, the insider added: ''Adele was pretty hurt by that, but Alex didn't want to label what they had.''

The pair are believed to have parted ways in April 2009, shortly before Adele starting writing the album.