'Goodnight my angel, sleep tight': Mitch Winehouse's emotional goodbye to daughter Amy as Kelly Osbourne and Mark Ronson join family for her funeral

By Georgina Littlejohn and Sara Nathan


Emotional goodbye: Amy's father Mitch Winehouse was consoled outside the Golders Green Crematorium in North London


Mitch Winehouse paid an emotional tribute to his daughter Amy today as her friends and family came together for her funeral.

Telling stories about her childhood and how happy she'd been recently, Mitch ended his eulogy telling his daughter: 'Goodnight, my angel. Sleep tight.'

Among those paying their respects to the tragic star - who died at her London home aged 27 on Saturday - was her entire family, friends Kelly Osbourne, Mark Ronson and her music 'family' including her backing singers and manager.

Mummy and Daddy love you ever so much: Amy's parents arrive at the crematorium after the funeral service


A convoy of black vehicles with tinted windows silently made its way inside the Edgwarebury Cemetery in north London this lunchtime for the private funeral service.

Amy's spokesman Chris Goodman said: 'Mitch was funny, he told some great stories from her childhood. It was a celebration. He stressed many times that she had been more content than she had been in years. Mitch paid tribute to a lot of people from Amy's life.'

Talking about her boyfriend, film director Reg Traviss, he added: 'Mitch said that they were very much looking forward to their future together.'

Sibling sorrow: Amy's brother Alex followed their parents into the crematorium

2My darling: Amy's boyfriend Reg Traviss walks alone away from the service

Saying goodbye: Kelly Osbourne - wearing a beehive in tribute to her friend - and friend Remi Nicole arrive at Amy Winehouse's funeral this afternoon

In mourning: Producer and DJ Mark Ronson made his way to the service on foot as did Amy's friend Nick Grimshaw


Alfie Ezikiel, 55, from London said that around 150 guests had attended Amy Winehouse's funeral.

He added: 'Mitch's last words to Amy in his eulogy were "Goodnight my angel. Sleep tight. Mummy and Daddy love you ever so much."

'In the days before her death she told Mitch she was very happy, satisfied and content in her life. Janice was fine but she didn't do a eulogy.'

The service started with prayers, they read a meditation, Mitch gave a eulogy and there were final prayers.

The last song that was played at the ceremony was Carole King's hit So Far Away which was Amy's favourite song.

Another guest said: 'Mitch said "Amy will be carried in peoples' hearts". There is such a big and strong community that will be looking after the family and Mitch is a very strong guy.'

Amy was then cremated at the Golders Green Crematorium in north London after the service.

Family spokesman Chris Goodman said only family members and close friends would be present and added: 'Cremation is part of the family's tradition.'

Shiva - the Jewish ceremony of bereavement - will be observed for two days starting at 5pm today at the Schinder Hall at Southgate Progressive Synagogue.

Brave face: Dionne Bromfield, Amy's goddaughter, holds back her tears as she leaves the service


Kelly, one of Amy's best friends, had flown into the UK from Los Angeles as soon as she heard the news about her death.

Her face was solemn as she was driven into the cemetery and she appeared to have paid tribute to her friend by styling her hair in a beehive do, similar to Amy's trademark style.

Winehouse's bandmates, Zalon and Heshima Thompson, who were seen in tears outside her home yesterday, were also among the select group.

Remembering: Amy's singers Heshima and Zalon Thompson join the mourners including Amy's manager Raye Cosbert


Her singer songwriter friend Remi Nicole, who was very close to the star, was in tears as she got out of her car and Amy's manager Raye Cosbert cut a solemn figure as he joined the funeral party.

Kelly hid her eyes behind large dark 50s-style sunglasses and clutched a white rose in her hands.

She was followed into the service by another of Amy's close friends, DJ and producer Mark Ronson, who looked deep in thought as he arrived on foot alone.

There was a heavy security presence outside the cemetery as guests made their way inside.

One person not attending today was Amy's ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil, who, according to sources, was refused compassionate leave from Armley Prison in Leeds.

Forlorn: Kelly looked deep in her memories of her friend as she walked around the crematorium

How did you know Amy? Kelly clutches a drink as she chats to fellow mourners outside the crematorium

Miles away: Kelly looked lost in the sea of mourners outside the crematorium


It was also reported that he had already been warned away from the funeral by Amy's father Mitch who 'hates his guts'.

The service, which, according to Jewish law, had to take place as soon as possible after the star's death, was conducted by Rabbi Frank Hellmer.

Pop stars: Mark Ronson leaves the church wearing a skull cap and joins singer Bryan Adams outside


A group of photographers and reporters lined the road opposite the cemetery and stood alongside a few dedicated fans who came to pay tribute.

The service comes after police revealed they will have to wait up to four weeks for the results of toxicology tests to establish her cause of death.

Thank you for being here: Mitch hugs mourners who comfort him as they arrive at the crematorium

Nice to see you: Mitch graciously talks to those who had come out to pay their respects and offer comfort to him and his family


A post-mortem examination carried out yesterday was inconclusive and an inquest has been opened and adjourned until October 26.

Fans have been flocking to Amy's Camden home, where she was found dead on Saturday afternoon, to pray, lay flowers and remember the Back To Black singer.

Sorrow: Friends of Amy - including her stylist (far left) - comforted each other as they left the funeral service

Good to see you: Mourners hug as they leave the service


Yesterday, Winehouse's father Mitch visited the street and said: 'Amy was about one thing and that was love. Her whole life was devoted to her family and her friends and to you guys as well. We're devastated and I'm speechless, but thanks for coming.'

Her boyfriend, film director Reg Traviss, also paid tribute to the singer and said he had lost 'my darling who I loved very much'.

Keeping her close: A mourner clutched a black and white photograph of Amy


Winehouse battled drink and drug problems throughout her career and news of her death was quickly followed by suggestions that it could be related to one or the other.

The troubled artist had cancelled all tour dates and engagements last month after a series of erratic public appearances. She was booed at a shambolic performance in Serbia.

Taking it all in: Following the funeral Amy's goddaughter Dionne Bromfield went to visit the shrine to the singer outside the north London home


Mitch, Amy's father told mourners that his daughter had managed to beat her battle with drugs months before her death.

He told the singer's friends and family: 'I will talk a lot about her fantastic recovery. Recently Amy found love with Reg.'

Gone but not forgotten: Amy's ashes are carried out of the Golders Green crematorium

For Amy: Hundreds of fans and friends of the singer had placed tributes, flowers, cards and even cans of beer and bottles of vodka outside her London home


'He helped her with her problems and Amy was looking forward to their future together. She was the happiest she has been for years.'

Mitch also told fans he hoped to set up a foundation in Amy's honour.

Private: Security guards and police kept guard at the entrance to the cemetery

Crowds: Fans of the late singer gathered in their hundreds outside the Golders Green Crematorium to pay their last respects

Celebrating her life: Friends and family gathered together at Southgate centre for Judaism to celebrate Amy's life

Fond memories: Amy's friends and family including Reg Traviss and Kelly Osbourne gathered together to share stories about the singer's life


Following the service and the cremation members of Amy's friends and family flocked to Southgate centre for Judaism to celebrate the singer's life.

Guest were seen recalling fond memories they had shared with the singer before her tragic death.

Meanwhile outside her Camden home fans held their own celebrations and were seen drinking, dancing and singer remembering the star.

Remembering the good times: Amy's goddaughter Dionne Bromfield shared a joke with a friend as Amy's family and friends celebrated her life

Own tribute: While Amy's family and friends mourned her loss together fans of the singer gathered together outside her London home to drink and dance in celebration of her life








source:dailymail

Amy Winehouse funeral: Mitch Singer's father says "goodnight, my angel" in tribute

Amy Winehouse's father Mitch said "goodnight" to his daughter today earlier than her funeral finished with family and friends singing her favorite song.

Huge numbers of people paid their last honors to the disturbed singer at the Edgwarebury Cemetery in north London before of a private service.

Her father's tribute finished with the words "Goodnight, my angel, sleeps fixed. Mummy and Daddy love you always so much."

The service, which integrated prayers in English and Hebrew plus Mr. Winehouse's tribute, finished with a performance of the Carole King song So Far Away.

A spokesman for the family said: "Mitch was humorous, he told some great narratives from childhood about how willful she was, and undoubtedly the family and friends known the stories and giggled along.

"He worried several times she was more contented now than she had ever been and he spoke about her boyfriend and paid compliments to a numerous of people in her life."

Amongst the visitors at the service were artist Alex Foden, who has been attributed with creating Winehouse's trademark beehive hairdo, producer Mark Ronson and singer Kelly Osbourne.

After the service, which was headed by Rabbi Frank Hellner, Winehouse's body was taken to Golders Green Crematorium, where her grandmother was cremated.

The family will hold a two-day Shiva - a customary period of grief in the Jewish faith - after the service.

Alfie Ezekiel, a friend of her father, said: "Mitch gave a very good tribute and he organized to obtain through it very well, thinking.

"He said the lot. I don't desire to depart into explain but his last words were 'Goodnight, my sweetheart'."

He said the service - during which Mr. Winehouse was the only family member to talk- was "enjoyable" and "renowned" the 27-year-old singer's life.

"It was very moving," he added.

The 55-year-old, from Loughton, Essex, who works in the textile industry, said between 300 and 400 mourners attended the service.

Visitors left holding photos of the star.

Genius, but Amy's was not a life to admire

By AMANDA PLATELL

A friend of Amy Winehouse conceded after she drank herself to death on Saturday that, yes she had her problems, but ‘she never did anyone any harm’.

If only that were true. The packets of cigarettes and bottles of vodka, beer and rum left outside her home in Camden, North London, by adoring fans bear testimony to how much she affected vulnerable young people.



Along with flowers and farewell notes, this was their way of saying goodbye to a woman they worshipped and emulated — not just because she was a musical genius, but also, I suspect, because of her car-crash lifestyle.

How tragic that her fans think a bottle of Smirnoff is a fitting farewell to a woman they loved — for it was vodka that killed her.

Or that a packet of cigarettes was an appropriate offering to leave at this shrine, given she suffered from emphysema, a smoking-related lung disease.


Amy’s love of vodka was legendary. Even in her hard-drinking, rock  ’n’  roll set, no one had ever seen anyone drink so much of it so fast. In her final few weeks, she had been found comatose several times by her bodyguards after binges.

How can her lifestyle be seen as glamorous after she died in such terrible and lonely circumstances?

I’m not sure what’s saddest: that this recovering drug addict was annihilating herself with spirits, having been ‘clean of drugs’ — so her father says — for 18 months; or that it was not a friend, lover, mother or any other family member who found her body, but a security guard, someone paid to watch over her.


We’ve come a long way from the days after Princess Diana’s death when people left carpets of flowers outside Kensington Palace. Today, it’s bottles of the vodka that killed their heroine.

Amy’s music was so resonant not just because of her talent, but because she sang of her isolation and pain.


This was a young woman who came from a broken home and whose relationships always seemed to result in despair.

Her very public solution to easing this pain was to take drugs and to drink. Her life was a lesson in self-destruction. The tragedy is that it wasn’t just for her, but for countless other young women who hero-worshipped her.

The result was that, for the vulnerable and impressionable, I fear Amy Winehouse made crack cocaine cool. She made alcoholism attractive. She made abusive, violent relationships exciting.

Even when her ballet pumps were covered in blood after she’d injected heroin between her toes or when she was photographed battered and bruised after yet another encounter with her husband Blake Fielder-Civil, young women empathised with her.One obituary said: ‘Rock stars act out our wildest desires and darkest dramas on our behalf so we do not have to.’



Would that it always were the case. After all, if Amy Winehouse could get hammered and out of her head yet still tour the world and make millions, what was the problem with her lifestyle?

For an answer, you have only to visit any High Street on a Saturday night to find countless wasted young women so drunk they don’t care what man they go off with, so out of their heads on drugs they’re anyone’s.

And why should they think this is anything other than normal behaviour when their idol Amy Winehouse downed six shots of tequila for breakfast?



For all her talent, she was a role model of the worst kind. And her eight years in the music business mirror a shocking increase in alcohol among women.

Figures published in 2009 showed 250 girls were arrested every day for violence, mostly fuelled by alcohol. One in four were aged between ten and 17.

In the years Amy was a star, a generation of ladettes was born, out of their heads and out of control, but thinking they were oh-so-cool.








source: dailymail

Genius, but Amy's was not a life to admire

By AMANDA PLATELL

A friend of Amy Winehouse conceded after she drank herself to death on Saturday that, yes she had her problems, but ‘she never did anyone any harm’.

If only that were true. The packets of cigarettes and bottles of vodka, beer and rum left outside her home in Camden, North London, by adoring fans bear testimony to how much she affected vulnerable young people.



Along with flowers and farewell notes, this was their way of saying goodbye to a woman they worshipped and emulated — not just because she was a musical genius, but also, I suspect, because of her car-crash lifestyle.

How tragic that her fans think a bottle of Smirnoff is a fitting farewell to a woman they loved — for it was vodka that killed her.

Or that a packet of cigarettes was an appropriate offering to leave at this shrine, given she suffered from emphysema, a smoking-related lung disease.


Amy’s love of vodka was legendary. Even in her hard-drinking, rock  ’n’  roll set, no one had ever seen anyone drink so much of it so fast. In her final few weeks, she had been found comatose several times by her bodyguards after binges.

How can her lifestyle be seen as glamorous after she died in such terrible and lonely circumstances?

I’m not sure what’s saddest: that this recovering drug addict was annihilating herself with spirits, having been ‘clean of drugs’ — so her father says — for 18 months; or that it was not a friend, lover, mother or any other family member who found her body, but a security guard, someone paid to watch over her.


We’ve come a long way from the days after Princess Diana’s death when people left carpets of flowers outside Kensington Palace. Today, it’s bottles of the vodka that killed their heroine.

Amy’s music was so resonant not just because of her talent, but because she sang of her isolation and pain.


This was a young woman who came from a broken home and whose relationships always seemed to result in despair.

Her very public solution to easing this pain was to take drugs and to drink. Her life was a lesson in self-destruction. The tragedy is that it wasn’t just for her, but for countless other young women who hero-worshipped her.

The result was that, for the vulnerable and impressionable, I fear Amy Winehouse made crack cocaine cool. She made alcoholism attractive. She made abusive, violent relationships exciting.

Even when her ballet pumps were covered in blood after she’d injected heroin between her toes or when she was photographed battered and bruised after yet another encounter with her husband Blake Fielder-Civil, young women empathised with her.One obituary said: ‘Rock stars act out our wildest desires and darkest dramas on our behalf so we do not have to.’



Would that it always were the case. After all, if Amy Winehouse could get hammered and out of her head yet still tour the world and make millions, what was the problem with her lifestyle?

For an answer, you have only to visit any High Street on a Saturday night to find countless wasted young women so drunk they don’t care what man they go off with, so out of their heads on drugs they’re anyone’s.

And why should they think this is anything other than normal behaviour when their idol Amy Winehouse downed six shots of tequila for breakfast?



For all her talent, she was a role model of the worst kind. And her eight years in the music business mirror a shocking increase in alcohol among women.

Figures published in 2009 showed 250 girls were arrested every day for violence, mostly fuelled by alcohol. One in four were aged between ten and 17.

In the years Amy was a star, a generation of ladettes was born, out of their heads and out of control, but thinking they were oh-so-cool.








source: dailymail

'Goodnight my angel, sleep tight': Mitch Winehouse's emotional goodbye to daughter Amy as family and friends gather for her funeral

By Georgina Littlejohn and Sara Nathan


Mummy and Daddy love you ever so much: Amy's parents arrive at the crematorium after the funeral service


Mitch Winehouse paid an emotional tribute to his daughter Amy today as her friends and family came together for her funeral.

Telling stories about her childhood and how happy she'd been recently, Mitch ended his eulogy telling his daughter: 'Goodnight, my angel. Sleep tight.'

Among those paying their respects to the tragic star - who died at her London home aged 27 on Friday - was her entire family, friends Kelly Osbourne, Mark Ronson and her music 'family' including her backing singers and manager.

Saying goodbye: Amy's brother Alex followed their parents into the crematorium


A convoy of black vehicles with tinted windows silently made its way inside the Edgwarebury Cemetery in north London this lunchtime for the private funeral service.

Amy's spokesman Chris Goodman said: 'Mitch was funny, he told some great stories from her childhood. It was a celebration. He stressed many times that she had been more content than she had been in years. Mitch paid tribute to a lot of people from Amy's life.'

Talking about her boyfriend, film director Reg Traviss, he added: 'Mitch said that they were very much looking forward to their future together.'

Saying goodbye: Kelly Osbourne - wearing a beehive in tribute to her friend - and friends Remi Nicole arrive at Amy Winehouse's funeral this afternoon

In mourning: Producer and DJ Mark Ronson made his way to the service on foot as did Amy's friend Nick Grimshaw


Alfie Ezikiel, 55, from London said that around 150 guests had attended Amy Winehouse's funeral.

He added: 'Mitch's last words to Amy in his eulogy were "Goodnight my angel. Sleep tight. Mummy and Daddy love you ever so much."

'In the days before her death she told Mitch she was very happy, satisfied and content in her life. Janice was fine but she didn't do a eulogy.'

The service started with prayers, they read a meditation, Mitch gave a eulogy and there were final prayers.

The last song that was played at the ceremony was Carole King's hit So Far Away which was Amy's favourite song.

Another guest said: 'Mitch said "Amy will be carried in peoples' hearts". There is such a big and strong community that will be looking after the family and Mitch is a very strong guy.'

Amy was then cremated at the Golders Green Crematorium in north London after the service.

Family spokesman Chris Goodman said only family members and close friends would be present and added: 'Cremation is part of the family's tradition.'

Shiva - the Jewish ceremony of bereavement - will be observed for two days starting at 5pm today at Schinder Hall in Southgate progressive Hall.

Kelly, one of Amy's best friends, had flown into the UK from Los Angeles as soon as she heard the news about her death.

Her face was solemn as she was driven into the cemetery and she appeared to have paid tribute to her friend by styling her hair in a beehive do, similar to Amy's trademark style.

Remembering: Amy's singers Heshima and Zalon Thompson join the mourners including Amy's manager Raye Cosbert


Kelly hid her eyes behind large dark 50s-style sunglasses and clutched a white rose in her hands.

She was followed into the service by another of Amy's close friends, DJ and producer Mark Ronson, who looked deep in thought as he arrived on foot alone.

There was a heavy security presence outside the cemetery as guests made their way inside.

Winehouse's bandmates, Zalon and Heshima Thompson, who were seen in tears outside her home yesterday, were also among the select group.

Friends forever: Kelly looked deep in thought as she left the service and made her way to the crematorium

Memories: Kelly seeks solace in some friends and shares some happy memories about Amy


Her singer songwriter friend Remi Nicole, who was very close to the star, was in tears as she got our of her car and Amy's manager Raye Cosbert cut a solemn figure as he joined the funeral party.

One person not attending today was Amy's ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil, who, according to sources, was refused compassionate leave from Armley Prison in Leeds.

It was also reported that he had already been warned away from the funeral by Amy's father Mitch who 'hates his guts'.

The service, which, according to Jewish law, had to take place as soon as possible after the star's death, was conducted by Rabbi Frank Hellmer.

Private: Security guards and police kept guard at the entrance to the cemetery

Final resting place: The Golders Green crematorium where Amy was cremated after the funeral service


A group of photographers and reporters lined the road opposite the cemetery and stood alongside a few dedicated fans who came to pay tribute.

The service comes after police revealed they will have to wait up to four weeks for the results of toxicology tests to establish her cause of death.

A post-mortem examination carried out yesterday was inconclusive and an inquest has been opened and adjourned until October 26.

Sorrow: Friends of Amy comforted each other as they left the funeral service

Good to see you: Mourners hug as they leave the service


Fans have been flocking to Amy's Camden home, where she was found dead on Saturday afternoon, to pray, lay flowers and remember the Back To Black singer.

Yesterday, Winehouse's father Mitch visited the street and said: 'Amy was about one thing and that was love. Her whole life was devoted to her family and her friends and to you guys as well. We're devastated and I'm speechless, but thanks for coming.'

Her boyfriend, film director Reg Traviss, also paid tribute to the singer and said he had lost 'my darling who I loved very much'.


source: dailymail