Singer Amy Winehouse's father has spoken of his fear that she could die "a very slow and painful death" if she does not remain on the straight and narrow.
The Back To Black star, a recovering drug addict, was diagnosed with lung condition emphysema last month and her father Mitch has told Sky News television that she will stop performing live from September to rest her voice.
"My biggest fear is that she would die and she won't die of a drug overdose, it won't be that quick," Mitch Winehouse said.
"She would die, unfortunately, of emphysema. That would be the most likely scenario if she didn't check her behaviour, which she is doing.
"But if she didn't, that would be a likely scenario and we would be talking about a very slow and painful death, gasping for air."
He added that his daughter would love to have children, but understands it would be unwise at the moment.
Amy Winehouse's husband Blake Fielder-Civil is currently behind bars awaiting sentencing for assault and perverting the course of justice.
Mitch Winehouse said that when Fielder-Civil left prison he would need to go into rehab.
"I would say it's last chance saloon if he comes out and they go back to doing what they were doing before, she's going to have a serious health problem.
"So perhaps as far as Amy is concerned, it's last chance saloon," he said.
"He's a fit young man, he could probably carry on like this for the rest of his life. Amy can't and he has to understand that."
Winehouse will start writing her new album from September, he added.
ninemsn
The Back To Black star, a recovering drug addict, was diagnosed with lung condition emphysema last month and her father Mitch has told Sky News television that she will stop performing live from September to rest her voice.
"My biggest fear is that she would die and she won't die of a drug overdose, it won't be that quick," Mitch Winehouse said.
"She would die, unfortunately, of emphysema. That would be the most likely scenario if she didn't check her behaviour, which she is doing.
"But if she didn't, that would be a likely scenario and we would be talking about a very slow and painful death, gasping for air."
He added that his daughter would love to have children, but understands it would be unwise at the moment.
Amy Winehouse's husband Blake Fielder-Civil is currently behind bars awaiting sentencing for assault and perverting the course of justice.
Mitch Winehouse said that when Fielder-Civil left prison he would need to go into rehab.
"I would say it's last chance saloon if he comes out and they go back to doing what they were doing before, she's going to have a serious health problem.
"So perhaps as far as Amy is concerned, it's last chance saloon," he said.
"He's a fit young man, he could probably carry on like this for the rest of his life. Amy can't and he has to understand that."
Winehouse will start writing her new album from September, he added.
ninemsn
© AFP 2008
