AMY WINEHOUSE is fast becoming the female Dr Dolittle - she`s talking to animals.

The troubled star has been befriended by a monkey while on her holibags in Barbados.

Wino has been playing around with the primate on the Caribbean island for the past week.

It is one of many roaming around Amy`s private villa complex.

A source said: "Amy has made friends with a monkey. It came up to her and she fed it and it`s been following her around.

"She`s been telling friends how much she loves it and would love to bring it back with her."

On her last trip to the Caribbean, she was infatuated with horses.

The time before that it was booze, so being occupied with cute animals is a lot better than being out on the lash.

Amy has reined in her tear-ups in favour of work though - for the first time in three years she is going on the road.

She will do a one-off gig in Russia next month and a string in Brazil at the turn of the year - I`m sure she`ll include SPECIALS song Monkey Man, a regular on her set list.

The singer is due back in the UK this week but perhaps she`ll stay longer with her furry friend.

Airport officials should keep a close eye on her beehive.

If she shoves a banana in there, they`ll know she`s brought her new pal home.
sections: Celebrities