Whitney Houston’’s poor Birmingham show strengthens drug rumours

Whitney Houston’’s recent concert in the U.K has strengthened rumours that she may be using drugs.

The singer gave a rather ordinary performance at the LG Arena in Birmingham.

In fact, the show was so below par that fans, who had paid more than 200 pounds for a ticket, demanded refund.

Houston apparently disappeared for a 20-minute break during the show.

The backup singers sang 'Queen of the Night' and 'For the Love of You,' while 'One Moment in Time' was shown in a pre-recorded video montage.

“It was a con, a ripoff. It wasn”t a concert,” the New York Daily News quoted a fan as saying.

Another added: “She kept the crowd waiting for ages after every song, and all she did was talk to stop her from having to sing. I was so looking forward to it, but I appeared to have wasted [my money].”

The concert echoed Houston's Sydney performance in February this year.

Her ordinary performances have been blamed on use of drugs.

However, Houston's reps have branded accusations of drug use “ridiculous”.