Amy Winehouse's appearance at an art gallery in Russia last week was almost cancelled because the singer arrived in an unfit state, it's been reported.

The singer was invited to perform in Moscow by Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea football club, and his girlfriend Daria Zhukova.

The couple have re-developed a gallery, entitled The Garage, on the outskirts of the city.

But, according to a report in the New York Daily News, Winehouse arrived “in no condition to appear” when she flew into the city.

The publication claims that organisers were forced to seek a replacement for the singer while her entourage "spent two hours trying to pull her together".

Winehouse eventually performed later than billed to a specially invited audience of celebrities and cultural figures.

Speaking about the concert last week, a spokesperson for the singer said that she wanted to thanked her thank her hosts for an invite "to such a great night”.

(by Jason Gregory)