View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Comment
September 21, 2007

Ashbys at war over Amy Winehouse

By Axegrinder axeblog

Jonathan Ashby, retired founder, editor-in-chief and CEO of the World Entertainment News Network, has been signed up by the Blake publishing company to write the biography of the troubled Amy Winehouse.

But the problem is that his youngest daughter, Juliette, is against this project because she’s a childhood friend of Amy. In addition, her older sister, Jessica, rejected the book after Amy gave it the thumbs-down.

So Ashby Snr, by taking on the task, has angered both his daughters and it’s not certain whether Amy will agree to cooperate. It all depends on how much influence Juliette and Jessica can bring to bear.

Meanwhile, Ashby was already hard at work writing an extended chapter about Amy for his upcoming autobiography: Arthur, Why Are The Servants Doing Crack?

“It’s like a world war in our house at the moment,” Ashby Snr tells me.

“Being accused of cashing in on your daughters’ best friend is a bit stomach-churning. My daughters have grown up to share the common view that journalists are not to be trusted, including their dad, which is very sad.

“Amy was a regular visitor to our family home and when she moved out of home, Juliette went with her and they got a flat together in Finchley.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

“I gave Amy her first job; I love Amy and it’s dreadful for all of those near and dear to her to see her as she is today. I’m committed to writing a biography, and I hope by the time we’re finished, we’ll all be friends again.”

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network