Music News

Amy Winehouse's BRIT help

Feb 18, 2008, 11:35 GMT

British soul singer Amy Winehouse EPA/STEFFEN SCHMIDT

Amy Winehouse has reportedly been given methadone and prescription drugs to get her through the BRITs.

The troubled singer, who is being treated for her drugs addiction as an outpatient at London's Capio Nightingale Clinic, is "too sick" to battle her withdrawal symptoms alone and has been prescribed the medication to help her focus on Wednesday's performance (20.02.08).

A source told Britain's Sunday Mirror newspaper: "Amy would be far too sick if she was made to go cold turkey. Medics have accepted the important thing at the moment is to get Amy through the awards show."

Methadone is often prescribed to recovering heroin addicts to help patients battle their withdrawal symptoms.

The 24-year-old star will perform two songs at the London ceremony - 'Love Is A Losing Game' with her own band and then join Mark Ronson on stage for their BRIT Award-nominated hit 'Valerie'.

Meanwhile, Amy's husband Blake Fielder-Civil - who is currently awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and grievous bodily harm (GBH) in a London jail - was rushed to the prison's hospital after a drugs overdose.

Blake, who recently failed three random drug tests, collapsed in his cell after taking what he thought was heroin.

Six other inmates were also hospitalised after taking the drug.

A Prison Service spokesman confirmed: "A small number of prisoners were treated in health care following the consumption of an unknown substance."

It has also been claimed Blake is swapping signed autographs of Amy to fellow inmates in exchange for heroin.

A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Blake has to pay for his gear somehow and has no qualms about cashing in on his wife's fame. He takes orders from other inmates then asks Amy to bring in signed photos of herself. He swaps them for a Joey - a hit of heroin, then the inmates sell them on the internet."

(C) BANG Media International