after finishing her gcses in pembrokeshire, duffy returned to nefyn, to live with her father, when she was fifteen, and started singing in various local bands. duffy then spent six weeks in switzerland (before she started college), collaborating with the writer-producer soren mounir, under the name soulego. she was advised by a lecturer at chester university to "go on the dole, love, and become a singer". she also built up a following at "alexander's", a local jazz and blues club in chester, performing with guitarist david burton from the band "the invisible wires". duffy returned to wales in 2003 and was invited to appear on "wawffactor," a welsh television talent show. she was expected to win but came second to winner lisa pedrick.