Better put a new shelf up, Duffy

Pop beauty up for four Brits

THE Brit Awards are here—and it doesn’t look like much will Rain on Duffy’s Parade because she’s up for FOUR gongs.
The Welsh wonder went from unknown in 2007 to the biggest star in music last year.
And now she’s been nominated for Best British Female, Album, Single and Breakthrough act at Wednesday’s awards.
Duffy, 24, who will perform at the star-studded ceremony at London’s Earl’s Court alongside U2, Girls Aloud and Coldplay, said: “It’s brilliant to be nominated for four awards.
“I watched the Brits on TV religiously as a kid, and now I’m going to be singing there. It’s one of those ‘pinch me’ moments that makes me realise how far I’ve come.”
It rounds off an amazing year for Duffy. Her debut album, Rockferry, was Britain’s top-selling record in 2008, and sold 4.5 million copies worldwide. It also earned her a Grammy last week.
Voice
But Duffy has admitted she always knew she was going to be a huge star—despite famously being kicked out of the school choir because her voice was “too big”.
The singer, from the tiny Welsh village of Nefyn, went on: “I’ve felt since I was a little girl that my voice was going to take me places.
“I felt like I was going to belong to the public.”
Her journey to the top wasn’t easy though. Duffy was taken into police protection at 13 after a plot to kill her stepdad Philip Smith.
And in spite of her sensational soul voice, it wasn’t until she was spotted by former Catatonia guitarist Owen Powell on a Welsh TV singing contest that she got her big break.
It eventually led to Duffy meeting her mentor, ex-Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, who helped write and produce Rockferry.
“From the moment Duffy started singing, I knew she’d be great,” he said.
As soon as her first single Mercy flew to No 1, success has been assured—and now sealed by her Brits nominations.
Also nominated for awards, presented by Kylie Minogue, and comedians Mathew Horne and James Corden, are Scouting For Girls who are up for best British Live Act, Breakthrough and Single.
Singer Roy Stride, 28, said: “I’m normally a modest guy, but I really think we deserve the Best Live Act prize. We put on a better show than anyone else.”
Aussie singer Gabriella Cilmi, 17, in the Best International Female category, is less sure she’ll win. “I’m up against Beyoncé,” she winced. “I’d be mad to bet even a fiver that I’m going to beat her or Pink!”
The Brits are live on ITV1 on Wednesday at 8pm.