Rihanna is to perform at the Brit Awards for the first time since 2012.

Organisers confirmed the appearance with a tweet, calling it a “surprise”.

The Bajan singer, who has previously won two Brit Awards for international female solo artist, has just released her eighth studio album called Anti.

It has already gone platinum in the UK, as well as hitting the number one spot on iTunes in 30 countries.

Rihanna
Rihanna is to perform at the Brits (Thibault Camus/AP)

Rihanna joins a line-up of performers at London’s O2 Arena including Adele, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Little Mix, James Bay, The Weeknd and Jess Glynne.

This will be the 27-year-old’s fourth Brits performance. In 2008, she performed Umbrella with The Klaxons.

Three years later, viewers were treated to a medley of Only Girl In The World, S&M and What’s My Name.

At the Brits in 2012, Rihanna gave a memorable rendition of We Found Love.

She will embark on a UK stadium tour in June.

Adele leads nominations for the 2016 event with nods in four categories. James Bay and Years & Years have also picked up four nominations.

Coldplay could make Brit Awards history if they are successful in the categories for which they have been nominated, with the most ever wins for British group and British album.

Amy Winehouse was nominated posthumously for a Brit Award just hours after a documentary about her life picked up an Oscar nomination.

The Back To Black singer is nominated in the British female solo artist category alongside Adele, Florence Welch, Jess Glynne and Laura Marling.

The Asif Kapadia-directed documentary titled Amy, based on her life and career, has been nominated for a best documentary feature Academy Award.

The Brit Awards 2016 with MasterCard will take place on February 24.