Winehouse dad issues 'painful death' warning

Amy Winehouse's father has admitted that he fears the troubled singer will die a "slow and painful death".

Following the news that the star is suffering from the early stages of lung condition emphysema, Mitch Winehouse has warned that even a cigarette could damage her health.

"I want people to understand, even if they give her one cigarette they're causing her harm," Mitch told Sky News. "She has got a serious health problem. My biggest fear is that she would die and she won't die from an overdose, she will die from emphysema.

"We would be talking about a very slow and painful death, gasping for air. I would like to say to anybody who would supply her with substances to think about that."

Mitch added that Amy's husband Blake Fielder-Civil will check into rehab once he is released from prison. Pictures of the 25-year-old taking heroin behind bars were printed in The Sun newspaper this week.

"I'm quite old fashioned and I believe that love can conquer anything," he continued. "I believe they can have a happy ending, I really do believe that."