Amy Winehouse's goddaughter Dionne Bromfield hails her 'gift'

Amy Winehouse's pop star goddaughter Dionne Bromfield has said she owes much of her success to the late songstress.

The 19-year-old, who is also known to a generation of CBBC viewers as presenter of Friday Download, told the Mail on Sunday's You magazine said her famous older mentor helped shield her from turmoil.

Winehouse, whose hits included Rehab and Back In Black, died from alcohol poisoning in July 2011 at the age of 27.

Bromfield is working on her third album after being given extensive help and encouragement from family friend Winehouse throughout her musical career.

"Amy never showed me the bad side of her life. Even if she was unhappy she would always smile for me," she told the magazine.

Winehouse helped the then 12-year-old protege the first signing to her record label in 2009 and supported her on backing vocals during a musical performance on Strictly Come Dancing.

"She was basically saying 'Regardless of who I am, I'm here to give you this leg up'. It was the most amazing gift, and the older I get the more thankful I am for it," Bromfield said.

Bromfield said she felt "numb" after learning of Winehouse's death while at a festival in Wales, and is sceptical about a new biopic, Amy, chronicling the tragic singer's life.

"No film is ever going to be able to tell me about the Amy I knew," she added.