AMY Winehouse’s parents have revealed the heart-breaking toll of interventions and stints in rehab ahead of a new tell-all documentary.
The singer died aged just 27 in July 2011 from alcohol poisoning after years of troubles with drink and drugs.
Now, ahead of the 10th anniversary of her death, Amy’s parents Mitch Winehouse and Janis Winehouse-Collins have spoken to BBC News reporter Mark Savage for new documentary, Reclaiming Amy.
It will see the singer’s closest family and friends, who were with her throughout her life, reveal the truth about the music icon and the impact that her loss has had on them.
Amy’s parents admitted they were at a loss as to how to help their daughter as she spiralled out of control, with Janis saying: “We didn’t know what to do.”
“It’s down to the individual who’s going through it – because they’re the only ones who could help themselves.”
“NO-ONE KNEW WHAT TO DO”
Mitch added: “No-one knew what to do. Because obviously the responsibility of the addiction lies with the person who’s struggling with the addiction.
“As a family we could stand on our heads. How many times we had family interventions, I lost count.
“How many times I took her into rehabs, and she’d walk out the next day. It’s very difficult.”
He continued: “I don’t think mistakes are the [right word] because there is no right or wrong way to deal with it.”
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As well as discussing her troubled years, Amy’s parents wanted her fans to see a different side of her through the documentary.
Mitch said: “We wanted for people to get a different view of her, to understand she was a loving, kind and very generous person.
“You can’t airbrush all the horrible stuff out. We wouldn’t do that. But we wanted to emphasise what she was really like.
“Even through the times she was seriously ill, what got her through it and what got us through it was our sense of humour.”
BBC Two’s Reclaiming Amy will air on Friday July 23 at 9pm.