Amy Winehouse: 'I Did Not Fire My Backing Band!'

Amy Winehouse has angrily denied claims that she is to sack her band following a dismal performance in Portugal.

The Back To Black star made her live return last weekend at the Rock in Rio event in Lisbon, but upset fans after arriving on the stage over an hour late.

The 24-year-old further infuriated her followers by admitting she "should have cancelled" her set at the gig, because she was suffering from flu-like symptoms.

And it was reported Winehouse axed her band after allegedly blaming them for her shaky performance.

But the beehived singer refutes the diva-like claims, stating: "I was really upset that anyone would suggest that I would act that way to my band.

"My band are my family and I did not 'scream' at my horn players and would never be 'sick of the sight of them'.

"We have been through a lot together and I would never lose my temper that way with them.

"I suffered a sore throat all week and was given the option to cancel. But I was determined to show fans I was back and working."
Check out pictures of Amy sporting, what look like a lovebite, at the Portugal show here.