AMY Winehouse’s stepdad Richard Collins has died aged 71, just days after being treated in hospital.
Richard, who married the singer’s mum Janis, supported Amy throughout her career up to her death in July 2011.
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The pensioner helped set up the Amy Winehouse Foundation as director and trustee after she died from alcohol poisoning, aged 27.
Last week it was confirmed that Richard had been treated at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, North London.
Announcing the news, a statement from the foundation read: “We are very sad to bring you the news that our trustee Richard Collins, has passed away this week.
“Devoted and caring husband to Janis, and Dad to Michael and Jess, we will always remember his great humour and sense of fun. Sending much love to all the family.”
Janis had confirmed Richard was being treated in London over the past few weeks.
She wrote on Twitter on April 25: “Hi all in Twitter land, hubby has been in hospital since last week and we nearly lost him twice!
“I would like to thank all the medics Royal Free London for giving him great care and attention. I sadly will not respond back to your tweets but only give updates. Janis xxx.”
Fans have flocked to social media to pay tribute to Richard, with one saying the loss was “devastating.”
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Last year Richard broke down on Lorraine remembering the moment he had to tell Janis that her daughter had died.
An emotional Richard said: “It was the worst day of my life. I got the phone call to say that Amy had gone, it was actually her cousin who phoned.
“I said don’t be silly we were with her yesterday. We were with her yesterday. He said no I’m being absolutely serious.
“And I had to tell Janis. I said to Janis I don’t know what to say, she’s gone.
“And she looked at me, she thought I was talking about my mum because my mum died a month after Amy, my mum was seriously ill. I said no, no, no. Your baby’s gone.
“The family bent over backwards, but what people seem to forget was that she was a married woman, she was 27, she was living independently, she was wealthy.
“People tried to help her, from her management, to [Amy’s dad] Mitch, to Janis, the family – Amy did what she wanted to do, that was the bottom line of it.
“People think she was a very weak character, she wasn’t, far from it – she was very strong.”
