THE husband of troubled British soul singer Amy Winehouse has lost his appeal against a jail sentence for a vicious attack on a pub landlord and a subsequent attempt to cover it up.

Blake Fielder-Civil`s challenge against his 27-month term was rejected by two judges at the Court of Appeal in central London on Monday.

The 26-year-old, jailed in July, was released from prison on November 5 on condition that he resides at a drug rehabilitation centre.

Judge Christopher Pitchford, dismissing the appeal, expressed the court`s encouragement to Fielder-Civil to continue the progress he has made since then.

It was only if "these attempts are successful that he has a worthwhile future``, Judge Pitchford said.

Fielder-Civil was present in court and said afterwards: "I am disappointed but not really surprised.``

His counsel Jeremy Dein argued before Pitchford and fellow judge Richard Brown that the 27-month sentence was "manifestly excessive``.