Winehouse's dad to tell 'true story' in memoir

Amy Winehouse's father Mitch is set to publish a memoir to tell the true story about the soul singer's life and to lessen his grief.

The former taxi driver has signed a book deal to write the "true story" about the Rehab hitmaker - who died in July aged 27 - by penning Amy, My Daughter to help him deal with the passing of the singer.

He said: "I feel that I need to write this book to tell the true story of Amy and to help with my personal recovery."

All proceeds from the book - which is set to be released by publisher HarperCollins next summer - will go to The Amy Winehouse Foundation, which was launched last month on what would have been the late singer's 28th birthday.

Mitch - who set up the charity alongside family and friends to help vulnerable young people - added: "I also want to raise as much money as possible for Amy's Foundation, so all proceeds from the book will go directly to help children who are disadvantaged through illness and substance addiction.

"I believe that through Amy's music, her foundation, and this book, her name will live forever."

HarperCollins described the tome as a "heartfelt and revelatory memoir" - and Nick Canham, the editorial director of Harper Non-Fiction, explained: "The strength Mitch Winehouse has shown over recent months is truly admirable.

"His desire to create a definitive account of Amy's life, that will solely benefit the foundation he has established in her name, is something that we are incredibly proud to be part of."

Mitch is set to sing a number of songs from his new album Rush of Love at a charity brawl to raise funds for The Amy Winehouse Foundation at Proud2 in London's The O2 on October 22.

It will be his second performance since his daughter's death after he sang at the Big Reveal charity show at the London Hilton hotel in Park Lane last month.

- BANG! Showbiz