Dad 'bursting with pride' at Amy's statue
Mitch Winehouse is "bursting with pride" over the unveiling of a statue of his daughter Amy Winehouse.
A memorial to the 'Back to Black' singer was unveiled in Camden, north London - where she lived before she died of alcohol poisoning three years ago - yesterday to mark what would have been her 31st birthday and her father was particularly thrilled with the tribute because council officials had gone against protocol to secure its erection.
Speaking about the tribute to his daughter, Mitch told BANG Showbiz: "I'm bursting with pride because Camden, along with other councils, won't allow a plaque or statue for at least 20 years after the person has passed away and they've allowed this straight away.
"So, it's a fantastic testimony to Amy, her love of Camden and Camden's love of her. It's wonderful. It's great to be a part of it."
Alongside Mitch at the unveiling of the life-size statue - which was sculpted by Scott Eaton and features Amy's trademark beehive hairstyle - on Camden Square were Amy's mother Janis and a number of her friends.
Amy's father reminded those who had gathered for the occasion of the work he has been doing with the Amy Winehouse foundation, which he set up in his daughter's name following her passing in 2011 to support, inform and inspire vulnerable and disadvantaged young people to help them realise their potential.
He said: "It is incredibly emotional to see Amy like this, but Scott has done an amazing job in capturing her ... We want to remind everyone of her talent and that her legacy, through her music and the Amy Winehouse Foundation, carries on.
"Camden meant a lot to Amy and vice versa and to have her forever standing at the heart of the hustle and bustle of that area just fits."
