Amy Winehouse pulls out of V Festival

United Kingdom | | 17 August 2007

Amy Winehouse has cancelled her appearance at this weekend's V Festival which takes place at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire.

The 'Back to Black' singer has pulled the festival as well as her tour for the foreseeable future. Her record label issued a statement saying: "Amy will not now be performing at this weekend's V Festival."

Rumours had suggested that she wouldn't make the event earlier this week following her drug overdose last Tuesday (7 August). The star, who ironically sang: "They tried to make me go to rehab/I said no no no," booked herself into the Causeway rehabilitation centre in Essex on Tuesday (14 August).

She left the centre the following day (15 August) and is now at home. The record label said: "Amy Winehouse is putting all her touring commitments on hold until further notice in order to address her health issues."

The singer joins the growing list of names to drop out of the event including Bright Eyes and The Bravery.

The Happy Mondays have been moved from the JJB Arena to replace her on the Channel 4 Stage.

The cows and sheep that graze on the Weston Park will also not be appearing this year, blaming foot and mouth disease for their absence.

The 150 sheep and eight cattle that were grazing in the event's car park field were expected to stay after foot and mouth restrictions meant they could not be moved. However the government's chief veterinary officer Debby Reynolds has granted special permission to move the animals.

All of the animals have been examined to make sure they were not at risk from the disease and the field will be thoroughly disinfected.