Lily Allen has accused the media of giving Amy Winehouse a “hard time”, and insisted that the singer is “very different” in real life.

“Yes, she does get out of her mind on drugs sometimes, but she is also a very clever, intelligent, witty, funny person who can hold it together,” Allen told Scotland on Sunday.

Allen, a personal friend of the singer, said the media's scrutiny of Winehouse meant the public “don't see that side”.

She also claimed that the press treated her and Winehouse differently to other females.

"I mean, there aren't that many people with whom the press concentrate on their personality so much,” she said.

“I think in the UK, as far as females go, it's mainly me and her that get that treatment. She gets it more than I do. But I don't see it that much with other people."

Allen's new album 'It's Not Me, It's You', which is the follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut 'Alright, Still', is released on February 9th.