Mercury-nominated soul singer Amy Winehouse is reportedly on the verge of checking into rehab following hospital treatment yesterday for a suspected overdose. 'Rehab', of course, is the title of one of her biggest singles to date.

The 23-year-old singer was due to perform at the Øya Festival in Norway - DiS currently has a pair of writers over there (check out our special Festivals sub-site here) - but has cancelled both that and her set at a Danish festival. She has previously admitted using both marijuana and cocaine in addition to her widely publicised drinking adventures.

A friend of the singer has told the tabloid press that Winehouse is "seriously considering" seeking professional help. Past concert cancellations for exhaustion have been treated with a degree of scepticism following the publication of photographs of Winehouse and husband Blake Fielder-Civil out drinking when she should have been performing.

Said friend commented: "Amy got a massive fright when she was hospitalised and is finally coming round to everybody's pleadings with her to go to rehab. She now realises she may need help as her lifestyle finally take its toll. She's currently discussing the best plan of action with close friends and family."

The Sun has reported that Winehouse needed her stomach pumped while at London's University College Hospital. She has since been discharged and is currently recovering at her home in north London. Her record label, Island, have claimed she is suffering from extreme exhaustion. Her next scheduled live dates are at this weekend's V Festival in Staffordshire and Essex - as yet there is no word on whether or not these performances will be cancelled. Full dates can be found at Amy Winehouse's MySpace page.

Photograph by Andrew Future