Blake Fielder-Civil, the former husband of the late, iconic singer Amy Winehouse, has broken his silence in a candid interview, reflecting on his part in the tragic circumstances that led to her untimely death. Speaking on the March 17 episode of “We Need to Talk,” Fielder-Civil addressed the public perception that he bears sole responsibility for Winehouse’s passing.
“I never shy away from any responsibility. If I’ve done something, I’ll own up to it,” Fielder-Civil stated, acknowledging that he did indeed “have a part to play” in Winehouse succumbing to alcohol poisoning at the age of 27 in July 2011.
Acknowledging His Role, But Not Sole Blame
Fielder-Civil, now 43, faced significant public condemnation following Winehouse’s death, with accusations that he introduced the “Rehab” singer to hard drugs. He has since declared that he has “made peace” with his involvement in the British star’s downfall. However, he argued that it is unfair to place the entire burden of blame squarely on his shoulders.
He emphasised that “Amy herself had agency.” He clarified that this statement is not intended to disrespect her memory but rather to highlight that “Amy did what she wanted to do.” He explained that even though her drinking was clearly harming her, she continued, describing her as “a very strong woman.”
Dispelling the “Dealer” Narrative
While Fielder-Civil admitted to introducing Winehouse to heroin during their notoriously tumultuous relationship, he was quick to point out that she had previously “experimented” with cocaine with another partner.
“I never understood, do these people think that I forced Amy to do drugs? That’s just not what happened,” he stated, reiterating his stance. “I’m not shirking responsibility, but this idea of daily facilitating — no. I wasn’t the dealer.”
The Grammy winner’s ex-husband also revealed that he has “never blamed” anyone who might have introduced him to drugs for the first time.
A Shared Struggle and a Plea for Truth
Fielder-Civil expressed his conviction that Winehouse would not want him to continue to bear the weight of blame. “I’m never, ever here to say, ‘Amy was bad,’ But I know Amy wouldn’t want me to still be sat here 20 years later saying it was all my fault. She’d be saying, ‘Get it right, babe. Come on. Tell them the truth.'”
He insisted that at the time, they were “just young addicts,” and that their descent into drug use was a shared experience. He believes that “it could happen to anyone.”
The couple’s whirlwind romance began when they met at a pub in 2005. Their brief separation a year later famously inspired Winehouse’s critically acclaimed album, Back to Black. They eventually married in 2007, only to divorce in 2009.
Love Beyond Addiction
Fielder-Civil admitted that revisiting these memories is incredibly difficult. “These are memories which are hard for me to revisit,” he said. “It’s hard for me, ‘cause she’s not here still. That was my best mate, and we were happy.”
He concluded by stating that while “the drugs were a side of it [their relationship], eventually,” the core of their connection was something much stronger. He asserted that “addiction had nothing to do with our love.” His reflections offer a more nuanced perspective on a relationship that has long been a subject of public fascination and speculation.
