Amy Winehouse’s stepfather Richard Collins has died aged 71.
Collins was married to the late singer’s mother Janis Winehouse and supported the artist until her death in July 2011.
He helped launch the Amy Winehouse Foundation following Winehouse’s death aged 27 from alcohol poisoning, aged 27.
The foundation confirmed the news of Collins’ death in a statement.
‘We are very sad to bring you the news that our trustee Richard Collins, has passed away this week,’ it read.
‘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.’
Collins’ passing comes just days after his wife Janis confirmed on April 25 that her husband was in hospital and she had ‘nearly lost him’.
News of Collins’ death comes just days after Janis confirmed that he was in hospital.
She wrote on Twitter: ‘Hi all in Twitter land,hubby (Richard) has been in hospital since last week and we nearly lost him twice! I would like to thank all the medics @royalfree London for giving him great care and attention.
‘I sadly will not respond back to your tweets but only give updates . Janis xxx.’ (sic)
Richard is survived by Janis, stepson Alex, 43, as well as children Michael and Jess from a previous relationship.
Winehouse shot to fame in her late teens with the release of her debut album Frank in 2003 before going on to enjoy further success with her sophomore album Back to Black in 2007.
Her short life was plagued by addiction and Collins previously described the day she died as ‘the worst day of [his] life’ and revealed he was the one who had to break the news to Janis.
Speaking ahead of the 10th anniversary of the tragedy in 2021, he said: ‘It was the worst day of my life.
‘I got the phone call to say that Amy had gone. I got the phone call to say that Amy had gone, it was actually her cousin who phoned. 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”.’
