Duffy says she thinks positives will eventually emerge if people continue to download music illegally from the internet.

In an interview with Shortlist, thw Welsh singer said she wasn't against the issue and that is was helping to make “music a part of everyone's lives.”

“Well, I mean, it can go two ways – there are pros and cons to everything. Some people think it creates illegal access, but I think the big wheel is round, y'know?” she said.

“I think it's got more positives because it basically gives people access, what's the harm in that?

"Somebody asked me the other day what I thought of illegal downloading, and I thought, 'You know what? I don't care', because I think the majority [doing it] are kids and as they get old and get more income they'll probably buy records.

“So it's just making music a part of everyone's lives."

The singer's comments come shortly after a new memorandum on the issue was published, which has been signed by six of the UK's biggest internet service providers and bodies from the music and film industries.

It means BT, Virgin, Orange, Tiscali, BSkyB and Carphone Warehouse will now send warning letters to their most prolific illegal downloaders.

(by Jason Gregory)