Amy Winehouse Only Has Traces Of Emphysema

Amy Winehouse isn't suffering from deadly lung disease emphysema, her worried dad insists.

Just a day after he reportedly revealed to a British newspaper that the singer has tested positive for the illness, Mitch Winehouse has told the BBC his daughter has just traces of emphysema, caused by her smoking and drug-taking.

And Winehouse senior reveals the 24-year-old is responding well to treatment.

He says, "Amy really hasn't got emphysema. There's traces of emphysema. Obviously, if she doesn't quit smoking it's gonna get worse – as with everybody else.

"She's smothered in nicotine patches. She's responding brilliantly to treatment. She's actually flourishing."

He also confirmed she will be well enough to sing at the Glastonbury Festival in south west England at the weekend (27-29Jun08): "She really wants to do the gigs at the weekend, and with the doctors' permission – and they've given that permission – she's gonna perform."

Dr. Keith Prowse, chairman of the British Lung Foundation, has meanwhile confirmed to the BBC that Winehouse is showing signs of emphysema more than 20 years before it normally affects people.

He says, "Emphysema is extremely common but it generally affects middle-aged and elderly people. Smoking is the commonest cause, and it's basically destruction of the lungs so that oxygen cannot get into them."