Amy Winehouse sets British sales milestone

Renewed interest in Amy Winehouse’s music has led to a new sales milestone as her final release has become the biggest selling album of the century.

The sales boost following her death last month has edged her second album Back To Black ahead of the previous record holder by James Blunt.

Ms Winehouse’s 2006 release has now sold 3,259,100 copies according to figures compiled by the Official Chart Company.

Mr Blunt’s album Back To Bedlam, released in 2005, has sold a total of 3,241,118 until now.

The leap came as it was announced that music legend Tony Bennett would lead a tribute to Ms Winehouse at an international MTV awards event this weekend.

Mr Bennett, who recorded with the singer earlier this year for a track on his next album, will introduce a special section of the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

It will include footage of him recording with Ms Winehouse at Abbey Road Studios in March as they sang Body And Soul for his Duets II album. It proved to be her last session.

Ms Winehouse died at her flat in Camden, north London on July 23.

Mr Bennett said: “It was a thrill to record with Amy Winehouse and when you listen to the recording of Body And Soul, it is a testament to her artistic genius and her brilliance as one of the most honest musicians I have ever known.”

Ms Winehouse’s father, Mitch, said: “Our family is honoured that the VMAs are giving Amy this wonderful tribute.”

He said his daughter’s performance of hit single Rehab at a previous MTV awards event had contributed to her global success.

Ms Winehouse – whose hits included Valerie and Back To Black – had a high-profile battle with drink and drugs. But toxicology results showed there were “no illegal substances” in her body at the time of her death, her family said.

The family statement said: “Toxicology results returned to the Winehouse family by authorities have confirmed that there were no illegal substances in Amy’s system at the time of her death.”

Body And Soul is to be released by record company Columbia to support a charity being established by Ms Winehouse’s family.

Other performers at the MTV VMAs include Price Tag singer Jessie J, together with Adele, Lady Gaga, and Bruno Mars.