By Ian Youngs

Music reporter, BBC News



Winehouse has launched her own record label, Lioness, with Island

Amy puts best friends in the spotlight on new label

Singer Amy Winehouse's new album is expected to be completed next year, according to her record label Island.

"I've heard a couple of song demos that absolutely floored me," Island co-president Darcus Beese said. "Hopefully we'll have her album next year."

He said the singer had been writing and recording "in fits and starts".

Winehouse's last album Back To Black, which has sold 10 million copies and won five Grammy Awards, came out three years ago.

But since its release, the singer has battled drug problems and ill health, and comeback gigs in May had to be scrapped.

She was writing and recording with producer Salaam Remi, who worked on Back To Black, while living on the Caribbean island of St Lucia earlier this year.

Last October, Remi said the pair had "about four songs done". The following month, Lucian Grange, head of Island's parent company Universal Music Group, said her new material was sounding "sensational".

Winehouse is making a return to TV screens on Saturday, singing backing vocals for her goddaughter Dionne Bromfield on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing.

Bromfield is the first signing to Winehouse's new record label Lioness, which is an imprint of Island. The 13-year-old's debut album is released on Monday.