Amy Winehouse’s pop star goddaughter Dionne Bromfield says she owes much of her success to the tragic songstress.

The 19-year-old, who is also known to a generation of CBBC viewers as presenter of Friday Download, said her famous older mentor helped shield her from turmoil.

Amy died from alcohol poisoning in July 2011 aged 27.

Amy Winehouse performing on the Pyramid Stage during the Glastonbury Festival.
Amy Winehouse died at just 27 (Anthony Devlin/PA)

Dionne is working on her third album, having been given extensive help and encouragement from family friend Amy throughout her musical career.

She told the Mail on Sunday’s You magazine: “Amy never showed me the bad side of her life. Even if she was unhappy she would always smile for me.”

Amy made the then 12-year-old protege the first signing to her record label in 2009 and appeared to support the child star on backing vocals during a musical performance on Strictly Come Dancing.

Dionne Bromfield who said she owes much of her success to her godmother Amy Winehouse.
Dionne said Amy gave her a gift (Ian West/PA)

Dionne said: “She was basically saying ‘Regardless of who I am, I’m here to give you this leg up’. It was the most amazing gift, and the older I get the more thankful I am for it.”

She said she felt “numb” after learning of Amy’s death while at a festival in Wales, and is sceptical about a new biopic, Amy, chronicling the tragic singer’s life.

She said: “No film is ever going to be able to tell me about the Amy I knew.”