THE bustling tourists stood still for a moment and Camden Stables Market almost fell silent – aside from the clicks of a hundred cameras. 

An artist placed a red rose behind the ear of an immortalised icon. Just inches from the old railway arches where she used to sell vintage clothes as a teenager, the shrouded statue of Amy Winehouse was unveiled on Sunday – on what would have been the late singer’s 31st birthday. 

Her family, friends, former mayor of Camden Jonathan Simpson, actress Barbara Windsor – a patron of the Amy Winehouse Foundation – and many other Camden faces, including Lee Bennett, one of the driving forces behind making the statue a reality, were present to see the long-awaited arrival of Amy in bronze, situated in the middle of the market, close to many of her favourite places. 

It may well be a tourist destination for many but the market meant more to Amy – a place where, according to long-serving market security staff, she once worked, carving out her own style from the many vintage shops that once occupied the arches. 

Ms Windsor, who became good friends with Amy, said: “She’s what you call in our business, ‘a superb bird’. Amy loved Camden with a passion and Camden loved her with a passion, so it’s only right that she will be here.” 

Amy’s parents, Mitch and Janis, gave the statue their seal of approval.

Mr Winehouse said: “They don’t put statues up to people that are with us any more, so it reinforces the fact that physically she’s gone but spiritually she never left us. I feel sad, very sad.” 

He praised “wonderful sculptor” Scott Eaton, before detailing the work that has been undertaken by the Amy Winehouse Foundation, adding that he was most proud of the New Horizons project, which gives meals to homeless children. He told how Amy would take strangers in for days at a time, adding: “Amy was always taking people off the streets and feeding them.”

Mr Winehouse also recalled how, when Amy was at the London Clinic, she was spotted having a cigarette break by family friend Scott Mitchell, who lived nearby with his wife Barbara Windsor. She would regularly visit them, often rehearsing EastEnders scenes with “Babs”. 

It has been more than two years since the idea to put up a statue to the late singer was first mooted. 

While the original plan would have placed Amy leaning on the Roundhouse Terrace balcony, the statue was delayed due to issues with the design and location. It was decided to place it in the more accessible Stables Market to draw visitors from her former home in Camden Square.

Fans flew in from as far away as Hawaii to witness the unveiling and messages and flowers were left at her feet. 

Mr Bennett, of Camden Market Holding Corporation (Camdenmarket.com), who sponsored the statue, said: “We’re going to put all the messages people leave on a page at CamdenMarket.com.”

The unveiling was followed by a gathering at Gilgamesh where a birthday cake was brought out in Amy’s memory.