Mother 'no longer recognises' troubled Amy

Updated 06.43 Wed Sep 12 2007

The mother of troubled singer Amy Winehouse has added her voice to the outpouring of concern for the star, saying she doesn't recognise her daughter any more.

Janis Winehouse, 52, says she is shocked by Amy's recent behaviour and sends her pleading text messages saying: "Where are you, what planet are you on? Call me."

"Amy is playing Russian roulette with her health and musical gift" - Janis Winehouse

The pharmacist from north London also admitted she keeps control of Amy's finances, giving her just £300 a week.

Janis said: "Amy is playing Russian roulette with her health and musical gift. She's lost herself. We're not talking about my Amy. It's not someone I recognise. She has become her own stage creation.

"I knew she was smoking marijuana but not that she was doing class A drugs until she collapsed. She won't stop until she sees the point of stopping ... when I saw her afterwards, I did not tell her to clean up, there was no point."

She added: "I know all about class A drugs. I understand the process where the brain shuts out everything except the drugs. Talking to her about it won't make any difference."

The 23-year-old star recently surprised doubters by turning up at the Mercury Awards and silencing the audience with a stunning rendition of her song Love Is A Losing Game.

Winehouse, who was rushed to hospital last month after allegedly taking cocaine, Ecstasy, ketamine and marijuana, has been staying in hotels with husband Blake Fielder-Civil since a short spell in rehab.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.