Stagefright Drives Allen Back to Drink

British singer Lily Allen is back on the booze - because performing live is too nerve-racking without alcohol.The Smile hitmaker vowed to stop drinking and curb her partying ways last year (08) after an onstage spat with Sir Elton John at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in Britain.But Allen admits she needed alcohol to steady her nerves before her first London show in two years at the Koko venue on Wednesday night (28Jan09) - and is now back drinking as she undergoes a tour of the U.K.She tells British newspaper The Sun, "Yep, I am drinking again. Last night (Wednesday) I had my first drink. There's no way I can get on stage without a drink. I think I'm funnier when I've had a few."I didn't find it difficult to stop drinking, I didn't even think about it. I haven't really needed a drink but now I'm on tour, it's fun drinking sometimes. But some things have changed. I'm not drinking any cheap stuff now - only expensive wine will do this time. I've gone upmarket."