Duffy – full name Aimee Ann Duffy – on Tuesday night issued a statement revealing the reason for her disappearance from the spotlight. The emotional statement is detailed in full below.
The Welsh singer wrote: “You can only imagine the amount of times I thought about writing this.
“The way I would write it, how I would feel thereafter.
“Well, not entirely sure why now is the right time, and what it is that feels exciting and liberating for me to talk. I cannot explain it.
“Many of you wonder what happened to me, where did I disappear to and why.
“But I can tell you in the last decade, the thousands and thousands of days I committed to wanting to feel the sunshine in my heart again, the sun does now shine.
“You wonder why I did not choose to use my voice to express my pain? I did not want to show the world the sadness in my eyes.
“I asked myself, how can I sing from the heart if it is broken? And slowly it unbroke.
“In the following weeks I will be posting a spoken interview.
“If you have any questions I would like to answer them, in the spoken interview, if I can.
“I have a sacred love and sincere appreciation for your kindness over the years. You have been friends. I want to thank you for that x Duffy
“Please respect this is a gentle move for me to make, for myself, and I do not want any intrusion to my family.
“Please support me to make this a positive experience.”
Fans were quick to offer comments of support to Duffy, 35, praising her for her bravery.
One fan wrote: “We love and support you.”
Another added: “Sending you so much love.”
A third wrote: “Love and support. Can’t imagine the strength this takes. x”