Gordon Brown leaves VIPs in stitches with Mandela, Winehouse story

London, Oct 23 : PM Gordon Brown revealed his humorous side to VIPs at 10 Downing street with his story about how he had to explain to Nelson Mandela who Amy Winehouse was.

Winehouse, 25, whose husband Blake Fielder-Civil is doing time, performed at Mandela's 90th birthday bash, and Brown had to explain to the anti-apartheid activist why she was singing "free Blakey my fella".

The Rehab singer was singing the world-famous Free Nelson Mandela anthem at the televised event when she substituted her own chorus, and Brown recounted the story to the 100 members of campaign group The Peace Alliance. As he looked at the concert I had this responsibility of explaining to him, as she came on stage, who Amy Winehouse was," the Sun quoted him as saying.

"And so I was, um, it took a bit of time to tell the full story.

"Then Amy Winehouse was saying to her friends, 'You know, Nelson Mandela and my husband have a great deal in common - both of them have spent a great deal of time in prison'. And then when people were singing at the end that great song, Free Nelson Mandela, she was actually singing, 'Free Blakey My Fella'," he added.

On hearing the last line especially, the guests at the No. 10 meeting burst out laughing.

"The Prime Minister was on top form," a guest said.

"The room was in stitches when he told us the story. It was lovely to see another side of him and goes to show he has a great sense of humour," the guest added.

ANI