She's already picked up Brit Awards and a Grammy, and this week Bangor-born Duffy's songwriting talents were recognised again at one of one of Britain's most respected music awards ceremonies. The 24-year-old picked up an Ivor Novello in London this week, and was in a reflective mood as she did so.
"I was a girl from Wales. I did not know what music was," said the blonde chanteuse, who was presented with a trophy in recognition of the success of her monster hit Mercy. "I knew I had a set of pipes and that would get me a… long way."
She now joins the ranks of Kylie Minogue, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and Madonna, who have been honoured at the ceremony – the only bash in the musical calendar that is not influenced by publishers and record companies, judged and presented instead by the songwriting community.
Other artists picking up awards at the event included US R'n'B legend Smokey Robinson, who was given a lifetime achievement trophy, and new British band the Ting Tings, who won in the best album category.
Guests at the ceremony, recognised internationally as a major platform for recognising and rewarding songwriting and composing talents, included muso couple Sophie Ellis Bextor and her husband, The Feeling's Richard Jones. The bash was the one of the couple's first big nights out since the birth of their second son Kit Valentine, who arrived in February.
Photo: Rex
Photo: Rex
