Winehouse taken to hospital

Singer Amy Winehouse was tonight taken to an accident and emergency department, her spokesman has confirmed.

An ambulance was called to the 24-year-old’s house in Camden, north London, earlier this evening and she was taken to University College Hospital.

Her spokesman Chris Goodman was told about an hour ago that paramedics had been called, but has not been told what is wrong with the pop star.

A spokeswoman for London Ambulance Service said: "We were called at approximately 8.40pm to an address in NW1 to reports of an adult female taken unwell.

“We sent an ambulance and a fast response car and the patient has been taken to hospital.”

A Scotland Yard spokesman said officers were called around 9pm to clear a crowd of photographers out of the way to let the ambulance leave Miss Winehouse's home.

He said: “We were asked to assist in the London Ambulance Service leaving the vicinity where a crowd of photographers had gathered.”

The singer has publicly battled with health problems in recent months, with her husband Blake Fielder-Civil’s imprisonment causing obvious stress.

She was caught on video in January this year apparently smoking crack cocaine in footage obtained by 'The Sun' newspaper.

The singer spent a stint in rehab before emerging for a well-received performance at the Grammys in February.

Then in June her performances at Glastonbury and the Nelson Mandela 90th birthday concert were thrown into doubt when she collapsed at her home and had to undergo hospital tests.

Miss Winehouse's father Mitch earlier watched her being taken into the ambulance by paramedics outside her London home.

She is in a stable condition and Mr Winehouse has remained with her, a hospital spokesman said.

She will stay in overnight and medics will take a decision whether to discharge her in the morning.

The spokesman said they expected her to go home tomorrow if she has a comfortable night.