Scratches on Amy Winehouse's arm spark fears the singer is self-harming

Amy, 24, was seen in central London wearing a vest top which exposed the marks sparking speculation that the stress of husband's incarceration, and her continued treatment for drug addiction, is taking a toll on the singer.

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Struggling: Fresh scratches on singer Amy Winehouse's left arm, seen here in central London last night, have sparked fears that the singer is struggling to cope with the stresses of her life including salvaging her career, and having a jailbird husband

Fresh cuts: The marks on Amy's arm will cause concern that the singer has started self-harming again. She admitted cuttting herself before as a child

Despite her problems, Amy has tried to salvage her career with a series of live performances for the Grammy Awards, and last week's Brits.

But in a backstage interview a distressed Amy proclaimed her performance was s***.

The disturbing pictures come after chain-smoking Amy was seen out again with artist friend Blake Wood last night. Earlier in the day, she had visited husband Blake Fielder-Civil in Pentonville prison.

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Stressed: Amy wore just a vest and miniskirt to go out last night

She visited Caribbean restaurant Jerk City, and then went onto Bloomsbury Bowls for an evening of bowling with the American artist. The pair also spent the previous evening together.

Last year, the troubled star admitted she harmed herself as a child, and these latest photographs have prompted speculation she may have returned to the habit.

In an interview with Q Magazine Amy spoke about a childhood episode of self-harming.

She said: "It's a funny thing, a morbid curiosity. I'm talking about when I was nine. What does that feel like? 'Ow, that f*****g hurts.' It's probably the worst thing I've done."

She also confessed that she still suffers bouts of depression - and ends up "slapping herself".

"Not punching myself in the face, but slapping," she says.

After a low-key night out with 'Good Blake' on Sunday, Amy left her east London home yesterday to visit her incarcerated husband.

Fielder Civil is currently on remand at Pentonville Prison after being charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Although the singer has been looking undoubtedly healthier than she has done in months, but the unsightly red scratches on her arms are bound to cause some concern.

Amy also asmokes 40 cigarettes a day, which she admitted interferes with her singing voice, but said: "I will stop, but one thing at a time.

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Getting ready for Blake: A dishevelled Amy as she left her east London home yesterday to visit her husband in prison

Meanwhile, earlier this month, Amy and 'Good Blake' attended a series of London Fashion Week parties together and reportedly shared the singer's suite at the Riverbank Plaza Hotel in Westminster after the Brit Awards last week.

Despite rumours their relationship is more than friends, Amy has been reportedly telling pals 'Good Blake' is gay.

Photographer Blake was spotted holding hands with socialite Kimberly Stewart, 28, at the Notting Hill Arts Club last week, prompting speculation of a romance between the pair.

At last week's Brit Awards the singer made it clear how much she misses husband Blake by mouthing 'I love you' at the camera and asking the audience 'to make some noise' for him.

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Serving time: Blake Fielder-Civil, here with Amy last year, is in prison at London's Pentonville

The couple are hoping to celebrate their first wedding anniversary together in May - despite being separated since November when Blake was jailed.

Amy is still attending daily outpatient sessions at the Capio Nightingale Clinic in north London.

Bosses at her record label told the singer to drop the 'hangers-on' who may be a bad influence.