Amy Winehouse has dismissed claims she fired her band following a disastrous performance in Portugal at the weekend.
Amy Winehouse would never sack her band - because they are her "family".
Following a disastrous performance at Portugal's Rock in Rio festival last weekend (31.05.08), it had been suggested the troubled singer had fired her backing musicians, blaming them for the poor show.
However, Amy denies the claims, saying: "I was really upset that anyone would suggest I would act that way to my band.
"My band are my family and I did not scream at my horn players and would never be sick of the sight of them.
"We have been through a lot together and I would never lose my temper in that way with them."
The 24-year-old singer accepts her performance wasn't good enough, but claims she was ill.
She added to Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "I suffered from a sore throat all week and was given the option to cancel.
"But I was determined to show my fans that I was back and working."
Amy has a string of festival dates lined up for this summer, including a performance at Britain's Glastonbury festival in June, and admits she can't wait to hit the road.
Amy said: "I'm looking forward to my remaining dates through the summer." | 
