Claire Worrall

Quick Facts

Summary

Claire Worrall is a British vocalist, keyboardist, and songwriter who toured with Robbie Williams from 1998 to 2006. She introduced Stephen Duffy to Robbie, sparking a long-term songwriting partnership. A member of The Lilac Time, she continues to record and perform under the name Claire Duffy.

Biography

Personal Life

Claire Worrall, also known as Claire Duffy, is a British singer, songwriter, and keyboardist. She began playing piano at age nine and reached Grade 8 by twelve. She gained early recognition as a performer and songwriter at age nineteen. Claire is married to musician Stephen Duffy and continues to live and work in the UK. She remains an active member of the folk-rock band The Lilac Time, contributing vocals, piano, and songwriting to their ongoing discography.

The Robbie Williams Band

Claire Worrall joined the Robbie Williams Live Band in 1998 as a vocalist and keyboard player, remaining part of the touring and recording lineup until 2006. Her contributions included piano, synth, and backing vocals across multiple tours and televised performances. She was affectionately nicknamed "Thumper" and "Champer" for her impression of the rabbit from Disney's Bambi, and "Planet Claire" for her dreamy, introspective presence on tour.

Claire played a key role in Robbie's creative development by introducing him to Stephen Duffy, her bandmate in The Lilac Time. This introduction led to a long-running songwriting partnership between Robbie and Duffy, beginning with the album Intensive Care. Claire announced her engagement to Stephen Duffy in 2006 and subsequently left the Robbie Williams Band. Her tenure remains a notable chapter in Robbie's live and studio history.

Other Projects and Appearances

Outside of her work with Robbie Williams, Claire Worrall has been a long-standing member of The Lilac Time, led by Stephen Duffy. She has recorded and performed on albums including Looking for a Day in the Night (1999), lilac6 (2001), Keep Going (2003), Runout Groove (2007), No Sad Songs (2015), and Return to Us (2019). The band continues to release new material and perform live.

Claire's career also includes session work and collaborations across pop and alternative genres. She has spoken about the emotional challenges of songwriting, noting that the hardest songs to write are often the ones that mean the most. Her work reflects a blend of technical skill, lyrical depth, and long-term artistic collaboration.