Singer Duffy surprises cafe visitors ahead of comeback gig

Singer Duffy has surprised staff and customers during a visit to a café in north Wales ahead of her first concert in more than 15 years.

The Welsh singer visited Caffi Largo in Pwllheli, in Gwynedd, on Wednesday, with a staff member describing her as "pleasant and polite".

Earlier this month, the Mercy singer announced on social media she would host a "secret intimate gig" and perform new songs in London next month – her first since she vanished from public life in 2011.

In March, it was announced she would give her first in-depth interview for a Disney+ documentary, speaking about the ordeal that led to her long absence from the music industry.

Warning: This story contains distressing content, including details of sexual assault, kidnapping and suicidal thoughts

Speaking after Duffy's visit, Lorna Williams, a staff member at the cafe, said the singer had been pleasant and polite.

"We are very grateful for the publicity Caffi Largo has received due to her visit. She is welcomed at Caffi Largo any time," she said.

Aimée Anne Duffy, 41, grew up between Gwynedd and Pembrokeshire before becoming an overnight sensation with hit single Mercy and Rockferry, which became the UK's best selling album of 2008.

But after the release of her second album and the announcement of a third, Duffy disappeared, leaving fans and the music industry wondering why.

Almost a decade later in 2020, Duffy revealed in an Instagram post she had been attacked and later published a personal essay on her website, describing how she was drugged and taken to a foreign country where she was raped.

She said the ordeal only ended when she managed to escape her attacker, who has not been identified.

The singer said "utterly no-one" knew about the assault and captivity, which she said had left her suicidal.

Last month, she shared a black-and-white image from a recording studio on Instagram, writing: "If only I could find the right words to explain how much I've missed you all. Working on coming back to you."

The balloted gig is due to take place in London on 5 July.

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