A hologram of Amy Winehouse will tour the world next year, the late singer's father has confirmed.

Mitch Winehouse said he hoped the virtual reality project, with a live band and backing singers, would help more people discover her music.

After announcing the tour in October, he has now confirmed it will start towards the end of 2019.

Winehouse, known for hits including Rehab, Back To Black, Valerie and Tears Dry On Their Own, died in 2011 aged just 27, after a long-publicised battle with drink and drugs.

Image: Mitch Winehouse and his daughter in 2008

Speaking at the Amy Winehouse Foundation's annual gala, Mr Winehouse said the family now felt ready "to bring Amy's incredible talent back to the spotlight, give her fans a chance to experience her music again and for new generations to continue to discover her".

He said: "We experienced first-hand how these hologram shows celebrate great artists.

"This is a wonderful way to bring focus back to her musical legacy, as well as raising funds for the Amy Winehouse Foundation.

"It's time to remind everyone that Amy was one of the great musicians and performers."

The project will be run by LA-based Base Hologram, who have previously created and toured holograms of musician Roy Orbison and opera singer Maria Callas. Other famous holograms to have performed on stage include Tupac and Michael Jackson.

The production will launch towards the end of 2019 and will see the hologram visit a number of countries, although destinations have not been announced.

The Winehouse family's proceeds from the hologram tour will go to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which works to prevent the effects of drug and alcohol misuse on young people.

The singer's ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, has criticised the show, telling Good Morning Britain: "The idea that it's anything remotely like Amy to me is misleading.

"It's old footage. It can't be anything new. It won't be her interactions. It's not going to be the same."

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