Duffy has returned to the stage, 15 years after the singing superstar was subjected to a terrifying kidnap and rape ordeal, and sources say she is raring to reclaim the top spot
Duffy is ‘raring’ to reclaim the top spot as she makes her comeback(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Duffy is finally back on stage and is raring to reclaim the top spot. Since the release of her second record, Endlessly, in 2010, the BRIT winner has maintained a low profile.
After catapulting to global fame following the release of her debut album Rockferry, Duffy had the world at her feet. But three years later, she vanished from public life. On February 25, 2020, Duffy returned to the limelight and, after waiving her right to anonymity, wrote on her website that she had been “raped and drugged and held hostage over some weeks,” which led her to take time out to recover.
She said she was lucky to escape and has since maintained a low profile. Until now, with the star preparing to relaunch her music career. On Sunday, Duffy, now 42, returned to the stage at Hoxton Hall, east London, and those closest to Duffy say it’s “amazing” to see her back on stage. In May, the singer confirmed on social media that she was back in the studio and was “working on coming back” to her fans.
“Duffy is raring to go, but her team are taking no chances and wants her to feel totally supported as she starts to ramp up her comeback,” a source said. They went on to say that the singer is now working with people who were part of her touring team two decades ago.
And The Sun reports that Duffy has enlisted the help of Steve Head, who is Noel Gallagher’s protection officer, to head up her security, with her team explaining that “safety is their top priority”.
Her performance was her first since December 2010, when she appeared at London’s O2 Arena for Capital FM’s Jingle Bell Ball. As Duffy arrived at the venue, she was seen with her blonde hair straightened to perfection and red lipstick, before her hair was transformed into her signature curls.
Those in attendance, who consisted of lucky fans, friends and family, signed non-disclosure agreements prohibiting them from sharing any information about the top-secret gig online.
And it was such a success that Duffy and her nearest and dearest headed to a local pub after the gig to celebrate the occasion. A source said: “There were naturally a lot of nerves before that concert so they wanted to celebrate Duffy and what an achievement that performance was.”
They went on to say that music is Duffy’s “life” and it had been “amazing” for her nearest and dearest to return to the stage. It’s claimed that Duffy’s performance will be documented in her upcoming Disney+ documentary, which will detail her rise to fame, as well as her withdrawal from public life following the terrifying incident she endured.
The project will give fans “new, unprecedented access” to the star, as well as interviews with her friends, family and music peers. A synopsis of the forthcoming documentary reads: “Documenting her life in this way for the first time, the documentary will be a retrospective film traversing Duffy’s life, from her upbringing in Wales, through to her meteoric rise to fame and her withdrawal from public life following her unfathomable experience.
“The original documentary film will be driven by new, unprecedented access to Duffy, along with a rich and nostalgic archive, and interviews with family, friends, and close peers in the music industry.” A release date is yet to be confirmed.
And Duffy has made a huge change for the comeback. Born Aimée Anne Duffy, she has legally changed her name to Duffy Jones. Duffy’s name change has been documented in official filings with Companies House, initially on June 14 2013, requesting a change to the Director’s details from Ms Aimee Duffy to Ms Duffy Jones.
The Mirror approached Duffy’s spokespeople for comment.
If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
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