Winehouse's mum: She's lucky to be alive

Amy Winehouse's mother has spoken out for the first time since her daughter checked into rehab for having drug problems and has admitted that she is lucky to still be here.

Over the weekend it has been alleged that it was the singer's husband Blake Fielder-Civil that introduced her to class A drugs, something which he denies.

Her mother Janis commented on the situation, saying: "She’s on a path of self-mutilation and lucky to be alive. I don’t feel I can connect with Amy when (Blake’s) around. It’s like a sickness but she cannot see it."

She also revealed that she and Amy's brother Alex have gone to visit the star in the hotel that she is hiding out in. She said: "I hugged her and kept saying “What are you doing to yourself?”. I wasn’t angry. I’m past anger. It’s almost futile.

"I don’t think this is Amy’s fault. I think her brain’s addled. It’s as if her whole life has turned into a stage performance."