Amy Winehouse’s new album will "hopefully" be released in time for Christmas, according to her father Mitch.

The singer’s dad said his daughter’s follow-up to 2006’s ‘Back To Black’ was still “a work in progress”.

Mitch said he had heard some songs, but admitted that his daughter’s autobiographical songwriting style often created difficulties.

“She writes from her own experiences and most of the time they're bittersweet experiences, and that's the problem,” he said.

"I don't want her to be full of angst and depression and heartache for her to write an album. It's kind of a double-edged sword. I want her to produce an album, obviously.

"But then [not] with all the aggravation and heartache that goes with it. Her songs are really from the soul."

Mitch was speaking to the BBC to promote his debut album, ‘Rush Of Love’.

The collection of swing songs is due to be released next month.

(by Jason Gregory)