Amy turns to the soft stuff (that's vodka and whisky for her) after snubbing Mandela photocall

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Amy Winehouse was spotted shopping for alcohol and sweets today instead of joining her pop contemporaries at a photocall for Friday's Nelson Mandela concert.

Although the troubled star confirmed she will sing at Mandela's 90th birthday concert - despite being diagnosed with early stages of emphysema - her snub will no doubt unsettle organisers and fans ahead of the highly-anticipated gig in London's Hyde Park.

Should you be elsewhere? Amy Winehouse snubbed the photocall to visit her husband in prison and buy alcohol

Should you be elsewhere? Amy Winehouse snubbed the photocall to visit her husband in prison and buy alcohol

The 24-year-old was released from hospital on Monday after doctors confirmed she has scarring of the lungs which can cause emphysema, but it is treatable.

Despite pledging to honour her live commitments at both Glastonbury and the Mandela concert yesterday and spending an hour-and-a-half in rehearsals since leaving the London Clinic, Winehouse was a no-show today.

Instead she visited her husband Blake Fielder-Civil at London's Pentonville Prison, before stopping off at an off licence for some Jack Daniels whisky and vodka and a packet of sweets.

Meanwhile, at the photocall, Mandela posed with Hollywood star Will Smith, Annie Lennox, and Brit singers Sugababes and Leona Lewis, following last night's big charity dinner in his honour.

Will Smith, Leona Lewis, The Sugababes, and Queen's Brian May joined Nelson Mandela for a photocall in London ahead of the 46664 concert on Friday in Hyde Park

Will Smith, Leona Lewis, The Sugababes, and Queen's Brian May joined Nelson Mandela for a photocall in London ahead of the 46664 concert on Friday in Hyde Park

It was, by any standards, an extraordinary night for an extraordinary man.

At the dinner celebrating Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday there were enough stars - including Sir Elton John, Robert De Niro, Uma Thurman and Neil Diamond - and statesmen to put most Hollywood gatherings to shame.

And the stars certainly brought along their cash, raising more than £5million for Mandela's many charities.

At one point, he picked on a giggling Emma Thompson, cajoling her into bidding for a signed painting of the birthday boy.

Tender moment: amid the celebrations for his 90th birthday Graca Machel checks on her husband Nelson Mandela

Tender moment: amid the celebrations for his 90th birthday Graca Machel checks on her husband Nelson Mandela

World leaders Bill Clinton and PM Gordon Brown lead the applause for one of history's great men at the star-studded dinner held in his honour

World leaders Bill Clinton and PM Gordon Brown lead the applause for one of history's great men at the star-studded dinner held in his honour

Ex Presidents: The star-studded dinner - featuring some rather cheesy African themed dinner service - also raised funds for Mandela's global charity project

Ex Presidents: The star-studded dinner - featuring some rather cheesy African themed dinner service - also raised funds for Mandela's global charity project

A-list stars: Oprah Winfrey and Sir Elton John chew the fat at the flower-laden dinner table

A-list stars: Oprah Winfrey and Sir Elton John chew the fat at the flower-laden dinner table

But it was a bronze mould of Mandela's hand that fetched the top price  -  a whopping £1.75million.

Sir Elton John serenaded Mandela with a rendition of Happy Birthday on the grand piano, and guests were also treated to a performance by the Soweto gospel choir.

The party took place in a specially erected marquee in Hyde Park, just behind the stage where Mandela's 90th birthday concert takes place tomorrow night.


Family affair: Emma Thompson showed off her 'adopted' son Tindyebwa Agaba for the first time

Birthday guests: Lewis Hamilton, Naomi Campbell and Marcus Elias, Oscar winner Denzel Washington and wife Paulette

Birthday guests: Lewis Hamilton, Naomi Campbell and Marcus Elias, Oscar winner Denzel Washington and wife Paulette

It was decorated with a kitsch African theme - including an orange carpet, zebra-patterned plates and leopard print glasses.

Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker gave a moving speech, while Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former U.S. president Bill Clinton both paid tribute.

A source said: 'Nelson was never meant to stay late, as he is getting old. But he was having such a great time be decided to hang on, and didn't leave until 10pm.'

Lewis Hamilton and his girlfriend, Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, added glamour to the festivities, along with Naomi Campbell and her boyfriend Marcus Elias

Among the the array of guests was disgraced model Naomi Campbell, who had been removed from the presenter's list at Mandela's birthday concert tomorrow at the request of the man himself.

The former South African leader personally told organisers to take the supermodel off the list of presenters following her recent air rage conviction.

Despite being left out of the concert, Campbell arrived at Mandela's birthday bash on the arm of her new boyfriend, Brazilian businessman Marcus Elias.

Miss Campbell left little to the imagination in a slashed-to-the-navel corset top under her transparent chiffon dress.

And she wasn't the only one causing a stir with her risque outfit, racing driver Lewis Hamlilton's pop star girlfriend Pussycat Doll Scherzinger caused a stir in a lacy and satin ensemble which exposed her black bra.

Big Will: Actor Will Smith took on hosting duties at the charity auction held on the night

Big Will: Actor Will Smith took on hosting duties at the charity auction held on the night

We are legend: Emma Thompson is serenaded by Will Smith during the charity auction

We are legend: Emma Thompson is serenaded by Will Smith during the charity auction

Party girls: Oprah Winfrey, Emma Thompson and Uma Thurman can't believe their luck - or work out who's the most famous person in the room

Party girls: Oprah Winfrey, Emma Thompson and Uma Thurman can't believe their luck - or work out who's the most famous person in the room

But amid all the glamour at the dinner in Hyde Park, with a menu by Gordon Ramsay and corporate tables costing £100,000, there was also hard politics, and a message heard around the world.

After weeks of pre-election violence in Zimbabwe, and repeated promises from Mr Mandela that he would not be making any political statements, he finally broke his silence to condemn Robert Mugabe.

His remarks - brief, but with an impact beyond measure - came in a speech detailing the human suffering, poverty and deprivation around the world. 

'Nearer to home we had seen the outbreak of violence against fellow Africans in our own country and the tragic failure of leadership in our neighbouring Zimbabwe,' he said.

Then, while his words were rushed to every corner of the globe, dinner guests returned their attention to the two great themes of the evening, raising money for Mr Mandela's charities, and having fun; for no evening with him can ever be without his particular brand of infectious joy.

Power pow-wow: Queen of chat Oprah Winfrey gets up close and personal with PM Gordon Brown

Power pow-wow: Queen of chat Oprah Winfrey gets up close and personal with PM Gordon Brown

Chat show queen Oprah Winfrey was chatting with Gordon Brown  -  not only were they deep in conversation, but she was clasping his hand in a very touchy-feely way.

They don't really do touchy-feely back in Kirkcaldy, but the premier seemed to cope.

Elsewhere, the evening looked like a sponsored hug: Bob Geldof hugging Cherie Blair, Sir Elton kissing Arpad Busson, the hedge fund king (and Thurman's boyfriend).

Representing Hollywood was Robert De Niro and wife Grace Hightower, Denzel Washington and wife Pauletta, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith and Sex And The City star Kim Cattrall.

Stars galore: Acting legend Robert De Niro deep in conversation with Sir Elton John, and Sir Bob Geldof gets a hug from Cherie Blair

Leaders: Chelsea Clinton, Gordon Brown, Bill Clinton and Sarah Brown pose behind birthday boy Nelson Mandela and his wife Graça Machel

Leaders: Chelsea Clinton, Gordon Brown, Bill Clinton and Sarah Brown pose behind birthday boy Nelson Mandela and his wife Graça Machel

Sharing a joke: Elton John entertains famous friend Uma Thurman, boyfriend Arpad Busson and Emma Thomspson

Sharing a joke: Elton John entertains famous friend Uma Thurman, boyfriend Arpad Busson and Emma Thomspson

Brit stars included Emma Thompson who was serenaded by Will Smith in the charity auction and Pierce Brosnan.

Charity campaigner Bob Geldof, who has worked with Mandela on projects in Africa in the past, dumped his usual scruffy style for a smart white suit.

For the music world, X Factor winner Leona Lewis joined Sugababes, soprano Katherine Jenkins, Annie Lennox, Queen frontman Paul Rodgers, Peter Gabriel and Joan Baez.

Other guests included Boris Becker, Sir Richard Branson and his family, Cherie Blair and designer Oswald Boateng.

Pretty in pink: X Factor winner Leona Lewis and soprano Katherine Jenkins go for full-on glamour

Girls in green: Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith (left) and Annie Lennox with Live Aid pal Bob Geldof (right) were among the star-studded attendees

Something sweet: Sugababes (L-R Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Keisha Buchanan) arrive in must-have maxi dresses

Something sweet: Sugababes (L-R Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Keisha Buchanan) arrive in must-have maxi dresses

Many of the attendees will be gracing the stage at Mandela's birthday concert on Friday.

Rapper/actor Will Smith will host the event, which will feature performances by Amy Winehouse, Queen with Paul Rodgers, Annie Lennox, Leona Lewis, Sugababes, Razorlight, Jamelia, Joan Baez and Simple Minds.

Special guests set to appear include Gordon Brown, Lewis Hamilton, Prince William and Prince Harry, and Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Highlights from the Mandela concert will be televised Friday on ITV1 from 9pm on Friday.

Admiration: Chelsea Clinton was another guest who was clearly delighted to meet the political leader

Admiration: Chelsea Clinton was another guest who was clearly delighted to meet the political leader

Starry meet-and-greet: Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Denzel and Pauletta Washington pose with Nelson Mandela and his wife Graça Machel

Starry meet-and-greet: Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Denzel and Pauletta Washington pose with Nelson Mandela and his wife Graça Machel


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