Amy Winehouse’s devoted father Mitch has revealed the singer is covered in nocotine patches in a bid to save her career.

In an emotional interview the cab driver told how doctors have warned his daughter she must stay off drugs if she wants to sing again.

The rake-thin singer is also "eating like a horse" in a new-found determination to kick the destructive habits that have plagued her career.

Winehouse, who has contracted emphysema, was rushed to hospital last week.

"She's covered in nicotine patches," Mitch told Radio 5 Live today.

"The only thing that can go into her lungs are fresh air. She faces a stark choice - either she sticks to it or she won't sing again.

"She's eating like a horse - she's 16 pounds heavier than the last time she was in hospital.

"There will be a decision on whether she can sing at Glastonbury.

"She understands she has to change. All she wants to do now is to sing," he added.

Yesterday Mitch told of how his world-famous daughter could be forced to wear a permanent oxygen mask to survive if she doesn't follow medical advice.

"To think this could be my beautiful 24-year-old daughter's life is preposterous. But if drugs mean more to her than breathing properly, then so be it.

"But the doctors have told her if she goes back to smoking drugs it won't just ruin her voice, it will kill her," he said.

Winehouse collapsed at her North London home last week and was taken for tests at a London hospital by her father.

The extent of her condition has put in doubt her appearance at the Nelson Mandela birthday concert in Hyde Park on Friday with concerns that she may also pull out of Glastonbury the following day.

Mitch has urged her drug dealers and addict friends such as rocker Pete Doherty – who has been spending time with the 24-year-old since his release from prison last month – to stay away from her.

"I'm saying to those drug dealers, and they know who they are, if they are supplying crack to Amy, then they've got to take responsibility. I don't want her hanging out with her mates like Pete Doherty either," he said.

He revealed that the singer’s 26-year-old husband Blake Fielder-Civil – who is awaiting sentence after pleading guilty to GBH and conspiring to pervert justice - has vowed to come off drugs and has been calling her every day "to help her stay strong".

"My family have been criticised for not doing enough for Amy. Some say we should put her in a room and throw away the key but that's against the law. In our limited way, we are doing the best we can and we are being guided by the doctors and psychologists

"There's no need to cry yet. If, God forbid, doctors said they can't help her, then that's when we can have a good cry.

"But if she doesn't go back to drugs then she can lead this magnificent life. With her husband Blake too, if he gets clean as well."

He added: "We are praying that that's what Amy really wants. She seems resolute.

"I've started to see my old Amy back. We'll just have to see how great her resolution is," he told the Sunday Mirror.