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Daniel Merriweather: 'I like to take cocaine in private'
By Lucretia Munro, London Lite Last updated at 13:26pm on 21.08.09Mark Ronson's protégé Daniel Merriweather has admitted to taking cocaine — but claims that he prefers to do it in private, away from prying eyes.
The Australian singer, 27, who has opened shows for Kanye West and Justin Timberlake, also claimed that his lifestyle is similar to that of notorious caner Amy Winehouse.
Private habit: Daniel Merriweather says he has used cocaine
He said: “I keep my cocaine habits behind closed doors. I'm constantly dodging away trying to find a private place to er... get really drunk.”
Speaking exclusively to The Eye, Daniel said he didn't like to get out of control in public — such as Winehouse and Pete Doherty.
He said: “I'm a private person and keep to myself. I probably still do all the same stuff — just not with cameras flashing in my face when I'm doing it.”
The admission that he uses the class A drug is an unusual one for an artist at the beginning of his career.
It's timing is also a little bizarre — just after Kerry Katona was plunged into hot water after footage surfaced of her allegedly using the drug in her home.
We can't help thinking that he is trying to make himself look more rock'n'roll (let's face it, who admits to doing something illegal?).
He's certainly not doing it because he wants to be the new face of supermarket chain Iceland.
It's not the first time that Daniel has been open about his private life.
Earlier this month, the soul singer also admitted to watching internet porn, saying: “Porn is great.
“People say it's misogynistic, but I think people who like porn are in support of feminist movements, like myself.”
Daniel will be performing at the Virgin Media V Festival this weekend along with Oasis, Lady GaGa and Alesha Dixon.
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Reader views (9)
Stuff the rainforests then, and the children and adults killed and forced to work in near slavery in South America creating these. As long as you do it in private - its allright? Where are the environmentalists and the green brigade on this topic? Oh yes quiet because they are at all home doing drugs in private.
- Mikkiduk, Hackney, London
It always amuses me when people say they don't understand why people take drugs. Ummm, the same reason people drink alcohol silly, to feel different for a bit.
Personally though, he seems like a bit of a clown to be making a statement on it, really he should be investigated. If Kate Moss was investigated by the police following the videos then surely he should be following an admission.
Not that its necessarily wrong, he just sounds like an idiot.
- Lisa, London
Looks like one of Frankie Howerd's old toupees has been dropped on his head. What a weirdo.
- Keith, King's Cross
Never heard of him.
- Wen, Oxfordshire
Powdered cocaine being a class A drug is arbitrary, as discussed in the Lancet 2007 and elsewhere. So what is the big deal? Not Daniel Merriweather, but popular misunderstanding of drugs.
- Daniel Carden, Northampton UK
I don't need to take drugs. I can get exactly the same effect by standing up too fast.
- André, Cranves-Sales, France
Not sure I really care that much mate!
- Dan O., London
I, for one, believe his claims. The thoughts he's so kindly shared with us will be familiar to anyone who's endured the fevered, egocentric ramblings of someone on the Colombian marching powder.
- Keith, King's Cross
I am always puzzled by why people take drugs. It is one thing to take prescribed medical drugs but, what is the attraction of the lethal drugs which makes people want to take them. It has to be something mental.
T H Leeds
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK
