Joss Stone sacked mother to save relationship

Joss Stone sacked her mother as her manager to save their relationship.

The British singer decided to stop working with mum Wendy Stoker in 2004 as she felt they were drifting apart. Joss insists Wendy was happy with the decision as it meant they became closer again.

"I wanted my mum to be my mum, not be dealing in business, talking about money and deals with me," Joss explained. "I wanted to have her back to talk to me about love, boys, and be her daughter again and she is fine with it. I missed our old relationship. I just said, 'I want you to be my mum again.' And she is. We're both in Devon, me in the old family house with friends, and we spend a lot of time together as mother and daughter. It makes me happier."

Joss now manages herself and revealed she is enjoying the experience. Her latest album Colour Me Free! was released recently following a lengthy dispute with record label EMI. Joss, 22, is delighted the album is finally available, and is pleased she took the decision not to allow a full picture of herself to be featured on the cover.

She told Britain's Daily Express newspaper: "I've had a few managers before but I'm doing it for myself now. I just thought it wasn't right. I am better at managing myself.

"I've never let the record label use my body or full face on a record sleeve. It's about my music not my face or legs. I'm like all women. I don't think I have the perfect body. I'm a singer not a model and I wish more musicians would think of that."

Although she is currently happy to be making music, Joss has also started making plans for her future. She is hoping to start her own label at some point. "It would be nice to set up my own label in the future. It's just so sad that we have to fight to be real," she said.