Amy's mum: Yes, she's got a new man and he's a sweet, gentle boy

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Janis Winehouse has given Amy her blessing following reports her brief marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil is over after she was photographed cuddling up to a new man.

The troubled singer's mother has spoken out after being introduced to Alex Haynes, 24, at a meeting at her Camden home.

Winehouse has been growing close to her manager Raye Cosbert's assistant Haynes over the last month, much to the delight of the singer's friends and family, who have made no secret of their dislike for Fielder-Civil.

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Who's that boy?: Amy cosies up to Alex Haynes the night before her arrest over an alleged assault

Who's that boy?: Amy cosies up to Alex Haynes the night before her arrest over an alleged assault

Janis Winehouse told the Sunday Mirror: "I'd spoken to Alex a couple of times over the phone, but this was the first time I'd actually met him.

"He's a lovely boy - gentle and sweet. He really looked after Amy popping out to buy cigarettes, papers, anything she wanted.

"He works for her manager so their relationship was professional to begin with but if they've made something of it, I'm thrilled.

"Blake has sent her down the wrong path - drugs and self-harm. She needs a man she can depend on, who can look after her.

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Making her smile: Amy Winehouse clings to Alex Haynes during a night out in Camden

Making her smile: Amy Winehouse clings to Alex Haynes during a night out in Camden

"I'm praying Alex is that man."

Meanwhile, Amy was given a police caution for slapping a man last Wednesday and has since apologised following the pub assault.

Before handing herself in to police for questioning over the assault on Friday, the Rehab star spent the previous evening with her rumoured new love.

Haynes has been described as a "clean-cut mummy's boy from Gloucestershire" - the opposite to self-confessed drug addict Fielder-Civil.

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Support: Alex Haynes was also with Amy Winehouse as Holborn police station yesterday

Support: Alex Haynes was also with Amy Winehouse as Holborn police station yesterday

Still, pictures have surfaced suggesting he isn't adverse to a spot of partying.

In one photograph he is seen holding up bottles of alcohol while in another he's seen wearing a 'Cold Beer & Dirty Girls' t-shirt.

Amy and Fielder-Civil, 25, have spent over half of their 11-month marriage apart after he was remanded in custody in November on charges of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

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At her Camden home today Amy answered the door in her bra and denim hotpants

At her Camden home today Amy answered the door in her bra and denim hotpants

A friend told The Sun: "It is a relief that it's finally out and they have everyone's 100 per cent backing. Alex is a good boy.

"He doesn't smoke or take drugs. He isn't a big drinker. Amy has really fallen for him."

Despite still wearing her wedding ring, Winehouse was happy to be photographed holding hands and gazing into Haynes's eyes on a night out in Camden, north London on Thursday night.

The following day, Haynes was spotted in the back of people carrier with Winehouse when she arrived at Holborn police station for questioning on Friday afternoon.

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Hope: Janis Winehouse prays Amy has dumped Blake for Alex

Winehouse reportedly told music video assistant Fielder-Civil their marriage was over during a visit to Pentonville Prison.

Janis said: "Blake has had a weird control over her for so long so I can't get my hopes up.

"He is always calling her from prison, threatening to divorce her but it's just emotional blackmail.

"More than anything, I want to be drug-free so she can finally put this terrible time behind her."

Alex's step-father says his son "could only be a positive influence" on the troubled musician.

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Cheers: Alex, bottom left, gets into the party spirit

Cheers: Alex, bottom left, gets into the party spirit

Pink faced: Alex, second from the right, during his 2006 travels

Pink faced: Alex, second from the right, during his 2006 travels

Speaking from his cottage in Aylburton, in the Forest of Dean, Roger Vine, 50, said his son admired Winehouse as 'creative and clever', but had refused to confirm or deny their affair.

Mr Vine, who has cared for Alex since he was six, said: "The first I heard of it was when I opened the papers in a cafe - I was shocked, yes.

"If I am asked for a view, I believe that some people thought it might be very good for her image to be photographed with a clean-cut young man like Alex.

"My son isn't a geek or anything, just clean-living. He's so far away from the image that's been painted of her - he doesn't drink much or do drugs. I do wonder if there isn't more behind it.

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Fun lover: after leaving school, Alex (bottom right) went travelling with his step-brother Mitch, 21, before taking a role with Amy's management team

Fun lover: after leaving school, Alex (bottom right) went travelling with his step-brother Mitch, 21, before taking a role with Amy's management team

Vices: Alex wore a 'Cold Beer & Dirty Girls' t-shirt in one photograph

Vices: Alex wore a 'Cold Beer & Dirty Girls' t-shirt in one photograph

On song: Alex shows off his moves during his holiday two years ago

On song: Alex shows off his moves during his holiday two years ago

"When I called him about the photos he said that he had only been sent to pick her up. If you look at her in the pictures, it looks like she needs a bit of support. A lot of girls are very tactile in that state.

"I said, 'So I don't need a new wedding suit then?' He just laughed and was a bit uncomfortable. For all I know Amy could have been right next to him.

Last week the singer missed Fielder-Civil's court hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court, where his trial date was set for June.

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Courting attention: Sophie Schandorff and Blake Fielder-Civil mouthed 'I love you' to each other at his hearing yesterday

Courting attention: Sophie Schandorff and Blake Fielder-Civil mouthed 'I love you' to each other at his hearing yesterday

However, blonde German model Sophie Schandorff, 21, was in Winehouse's usual place to support Fielder-Civil and the couple caused a stir by mouthing "I love you" to each other.

When asked about the nature of her relationship with Fielder-Civil, Schandorff said: "We are best of friends."

Fielder-Civil has pleaded not guilty to charge of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in relation to an assault case.

He denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent to landlord James King outside the Macbeth pub in north London in June 2007.

A friend of the singer adds: "She has been fed up for ages and saying she wants to call it a day.

"All Blake does is scream and shout at her on the phone from prison and curse at her and his family blame her and criticise her.

"The trial is coming up and as it gets nearer and nearer the thought that he could come out has been on her mind — and it's not what she wants any more.

"Even the thought of having to go to court and publicly support him and see his family has been too much for her and has been doing her head in.

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Happier times: Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil on their wedding day in Florida last May

"She has been turning up late and missing visits so she decided to just be straight with him.

"He burst into tears and was begging her.

"While he has been inside she has not been faithful to him and got herself in a position where he couldn't come back anyway because too much has gone on while he has been inside.

"She is filing for separation and making it official and has been celebrating ever since."

Winehouse was cautioned for common assault today after spending the night in Holborn police station in central London.

She has been accused of hitting a passer-by who hailed her a taxi outside a bar in Camden Town, north London, in the early hours of Wednesday after a six-hour pub crawl.

The self-confessed junkie is also alleged to have punched Moroccan musician Mustapha el Mounmi in the face because he did not give up a pool table in Bar Tok in Camden.

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