"Amy is the most talented and important musical artist of her generation and has made huge strides on her road to recovery.

"Universal Music Group wants nothing more than to see her take the time she needs to come back to full health and fulfil her incredible potential with the label.

"The label has always had the best interests of Amy at heart and has been guided by her family and doctors in the last few months as to the best direction to take.

"All concerned feel that Amy must put her health before all considerations and will be by her side whenever and wherever they are needed."

The singer has cancelled a planned appearance at the NRJ Awards in France this Saturday.

The announcement comes days after the Back To Black star - whose biggest hit is Rehab - was caught on video apparently smoking crack cocaine.

Amy visits drugs clinic - Jan 23 2008
Amy Winehouse visited a drugs clinic after she was caught on video apparently smoking crack cocaine, it has been reported.

The troubled singer visited a clinic in north-west London with her father for a two-hour appointment, the reports said.

The visit comes as the Metropolitan Police confirmed it would investigate a video obtained by the Sun that appeared to show her inhaling fumes from a crack pipe, taking other drugs such as ecstasy and cocaine and admitting to downing six Valium.

The disturbing images were said to have been filmed during a party at Amy’s east London home in the early hours of last Friday, hours before she attended a court hearing for husband Blake Fielder-Civil.

He is awaiting trial on charges of assault and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

The 24-year-old’s father Mitch told the Sun: "Your video of Amy taking drugs may well be the best thing that has ever happened to her.

"For all the hurt and pain, it may finally be the thing to focus her mind and convince her to get the help she needs to quit for good."

Amy’s spokesman told reporters the appointment at the clinic was a regular weekly session which formed part of her continuing treatment for drug addiction.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Officers will be viewing the footage when we receive it from the media. We will then assess the footage to ascertain whether any action needs to be taken.

"As always we thank the media for their co-operation."

Fans beg Amy to give up drugs - Jan 22 2008
Fans of Amy Winehouse have begged her to get help after she was caught on video apparently smoking crack cocaine.

Footage obtained by The Sun appears to show her inhaling fumes from a crack pipe after a 19-minute drugs binge in which she snorted ecstasy and cocaine and admitted downing six Valium.

The images were said to have been filmed during a party at Amy’s London home in the early hours last Friday, hours before she attended a court hearing for husband Blake Fielder-Civil. He’s awaiting trial on charges of assault and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

On Amy’s website, fans warned the 24-year-old she’ll end up dead unless she seeks help.

"Amy, please get some help before it’s too late. You are an amazing talent that is going to burn out way too fast," said one. "That video of you at home which is now doing the rounds will hopefully be instrumental in getting you where you need to be."

The fan quoted the mother of late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, warning her not to "join that stupid club" of dead rock stars.

Another wrote: "You’re a young woman with a lot of musical talent. Don’t throw it all away."