One of the UK's top young female vocalists has cancelled a series of high-profile European concerts following a short stay in hospital after suffering "severe exhaustion¹".

Smokey-voiced jazz and soul singer Amy Winehouse has backed out of a number of dates, including two concerts supporting veteran UK rockers The Rolling Stones.

Fears are growing for the health of the 23-year-old singer who has cancelled a number of live performances already this summer citing "exhaustion", a word often used by publicists to mask more serious problems.

The pressures of fame may be taking their toll² on Amy who has frequently appeared in newspapers and celebrity³ magazines clearly the worse for wear.

The award-winning jazz star has admitted to battling anorexia⁴ and bulimia in the past and has appeared to be drunk while participating in television shows.

Amy herself has cited perfectionism as one reason for some of her recent cancellations.

She said: "I know it's last-minute and a bit irresponsible. But I'm a perfectionist and would rather reschedule a show than do it half-heartedly."

Amy is not the UK's only new female star who is becoming as famous for her party lifestyle as her music.

Other young artists like Lily Allen and Joss Stone have also cancelled concerts and been portrayed⁵ behaving erratically⁶ in the media.

Lily however has a doctor's note to prove her illness – she posted the note on her blog along with an entry saying she was now "back in London eating my mum’s chicken soup".