Surprise welcome for Natalie Gauci

timesofmalta.com sprang a surprise on Maltese-Australian singer Natalie Gauci on her arrival for her first visit to Malta yesterday afternoon. Greeting her and her brother Michael at the airport was their father Ray, who was earlier brought over to Malta by timesofmalta.com, without their knowledge.

The 26-year-old winner of the Australian Idol contest was visibly surprised at the unexpected welcome as she emerged from the airport arrivals lounge, hugging and kissing her father. He emigrated in 1966 and was last here, for two days, in 1981 on honeymoon.

Ms Gauci is in Malta as the guest singer for the final night of the Go Malta Song for Europe festival this evening. She visited the festival venue - the MFCC in Ta' Qali - immediately after her arrival and declared herself impressed by the stage. Later she was the guest of the Australian High Commission to Malta, Jurek Juszczyk for Australia Day festivities.

This evening's performance will include a duet with twice festival winner Chiara. They will be singing Angel, which propelled Chiara to the second place in the Eurovision Song Contest three years ago.

"She is amazing," was the first thing Ms Gauci said when she saw footage of Chiara singing Angel some time ago.