Amy Winehouse with her father Mitch Winehouse (WENN image)

Daddy Winehouse says Amy's flourishing

Tuesday, 24 June 2008

Amy Winehouse's worried dad Mitch has hit out at claims she is suffering from deadly lung disease emphysema.

Just a day after reportedly telling a tabloid that the Back to Black singer had tested positive for the illness, Mitch Winehouse told the BBC his daughter only has just traces of emphysema, caused by her smoking and drug-taking.

And he added that his daughter is responding well to treatment.

Amy Winehouse with father Mitch (WENN image)

He said: "Amy really hasn't got emphysema. There's traces of emphysema.

"Obviously, if she doesn't quit smoking it's gonna get worse - as with everybody else.

"She's smothered in nicotine patches. She's responding brilliantly to treatment.

"She's actually flourishing."

Mitch also confirmed thatb the troubled 24 year-old will be well enough to sing at the Glastonbury Festival next weekend (27-29Jun08).

He added: "She really wants to do the gigs at the weekend, and with the doctors' permission - and they've given that
permission - she's gonna perform."

Amy Winehouse with father Mitch (WENN image)

Chairman of the British Lung Foundation Dr. Keith Prowse has meanwhile said to the BBC that Winehouse is showing signs of emphysema more than 20 years before it normally affects people.

He told the BBC: "Emphysema is extremely common but it generally affects middle-aged and elderly people.

"Smoking is the commonest cause, and it's basically destruction of the lungs so that oxygen cannot get into them."

Yesterday we had a look at other stars from the world of film, television and music who had suffered from emphysema.

One of the most recent high profile showbiz case was that of Liz Dawn - Corrie's Vera Duckworth.

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Image Credit: WENN