Amy Winehouse’s family reportedly feel ‘betrayed’ by her best friend Tyler James and dispute many of the claims made in his new tell-all book.
A source close to household revealed that they feel very ‘disappointed’ in his decision to publish his ‘version of events’, especially as the tenth anniversary of Amy’s death hastily approaches.
The Valerie songstress and Tyler, 39, met when they were 12-years-old at London‘s Sylvia Young Theatre School and according to The Sun, her parents Janis and Mitch believed he was the only friend who wouldn’t ‘cash in’ on her fame.
‘It leaves a bad taste in the mouth’: Amy Winehouse’s family reportedly feel ‘betrayed’ by her best friend Tyler James and dispute many of the claims made in his new tell-all book
However, after discovering the release of My Amy: The Life We Shared, they appear to have had a change of heart.
A source told the publication on Friday: ‘They do not recognise the singer that James portrays in the book — details of which have infuriated Amy’s family, including his suggestion he was the only person close to her trying to help her beat her demons.
‘Amy’s family point to other claims in the book they say are plain wrong — even including details of her funeral.
‘Amy’s parents are disappointed that Tyler has gone ahead with this book without consulting them, and dispute many of his claims.’
Sad: A source close to household revealed that they feel very ‘disappointed’ in his decision to publish his ‘version of events’, especially as the tenth anniversary of Amy’s death approaches
According to the insider, they were not informed about the book prior to its release, and were ‘particularly upset’ to find Tyler claiming he was the only pal who wasn’t paid to spend time with Amy in the latter moments of her life.
They noted that key people, such as her fiancé Reg Traviss, were kept out of the book as they questioned the veracity of the claims he made.
The source added that they once considered Tyler to be ‘one of their own,’ and financially supported him, as did Amy, but the book ‘left a bad taste in the mouth.’
They said the tenth anniversary will be ‘difficult enough’ for the family and the new book will only make it worse.
Backlash: A source said: ‘They do not recognise the singer that James portrays in the book — details of which have infuriated Amy’s family, including his suggestion he was the only person close to her trying to help her beat her demons’ (pictured in 2011)
Amy tragically passed away aged 27 on the 23 July 2011 after being found dead in her bed due to alcohol poisoning. Her family are now planning to release a new documentary in honour of the late singer.
MailOnline have reached out to Amy’s family and a rep for Tyler for further comment.
Earlier this month, Tyler claimed that Sheridan Smith saved Amy’s life after an overdose two years before her death.
The singer’s best friend said the Cilla star, 39, found Amy close to death after she had drunk an entire bottle of Night Nurse and raised the alarm.
The Sun reports even though Amy had been taken to hospital several times, it was the only occasion she ended up at A&E after drinking or taking drugs.
Cut ties: The insider added that they once considered Tyler to be ‘one of their own,’ and financially supported him, as did Amy, but the book ‘left a bad taste in the mouth’ (pictured in 2012)
He told the publication: ‘Sheridan saved Amy’s life two years before she died. Sheridan was an angel who always did her best for Amy.
‘She would have been dead years earlier if it hadn’t been for Sheridan. I will always be grateful to her because she gave me that extra time with Amy.
‘Sheridan was an amazing friend to Amy. And Amy was to her. They both had demons and mental health issues to face and they helped each other through them. She was a true friend.’
Amy and Sheridan first met in 2009 at a live music event and hit it off straight away, Tyler says in his new book.
He explained how he could remember the day Amy nearly died ‘as though it was yesterday’ after being woken up by Sheridan at 6am who told him there was ‘something wrong with Amy’.
He claims he found her washing up at the sink but her ‘eyes looked like they were asleep’ before he asked Sheridan what Amy had taken.
Tyler says that Amy had drunk an entire bottle of Night Nurse to help her get to sleep but it contained enough paracetamol to kill her.
Tyler and Sheridan then called an ambulance and she was taken to A&E in an ‘incoherent’ state.
He claims if Sheridan hadn’t found her ‘it would have been the end’.
Scary: Earlier this month, Tyler claimed that Sheridan Smith (pictured) saved Amy’s life after an overdose two years before her death
