Singer Amy Winehouse poisoned by alcohol: inquest

LONDON: Singer Amy Winehouse was more than five times over the legal British drink-drive limit when she died, an inquest heard Wednesday, as a coroner delivered a verdict of death by misadventure.

Winehouse, 27, was found dead at her London home on July 23 following years of alcohol and drug addiction.

The inquest, in London, was told she had drunk heavily after abstaining from alcohol for three weeks and was poisoned by alcohol.

The singer had 416 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal drink-drive limit is 80mg.

Coroner Suzanne Greenway said: "She had consumed sufficient alcohol at 416mg per decilitre (of blood) and the unintended consequence of such potentially fatal levels was her sudden and unexpected death."

Her father Mitch Winehouse has said that his daughter made repeated attempts to quit alcohol but without any medical supervision.

Following her death, Winehouse's 2006 album "Back to Black" has become the Britain's highest-selling album of the 21st century. (AFP)
She rocketed to fame after winning five Grammy awards off the back of "Back
to Black" and famously sang about her refusal to seek treatment for her
addiction in her single "Rehab".

Winehouse had only Librium in system at death: father

LOS ANGELES: The father of singer Amy Winehouse said that his daughter had the prescription medication Librium in her system when she died of a seizure in July, according to media reports on Friday.

At a taping of a segment for journalist Anderson Cooper's new talk show "Anderson," which debuts on Monday, Mitch Winehouse repeated past statements that his daughter had no illegal drugs in her system. (Reuters)

Amy had no illegal substances in her system when she died !

Amy Winehouse had no illegal substances in her system when she died, according to toxicology results.The tests revealed the 'Rehab' singer – who was found dead in her home in Camden, north London, on July 23 at the age of 27 – had alcohol in her body at the time of her passing, but it is not known if it contributed to her death.

A statement released by her family today (23.08.11) read: "Toxicology results returned to the Winehouse family by authorities have confirmed that there were no illegal substances in Amy’s system at the time of her death.

Results indicate that alcohol was present but it cannot be determined as yet if it played a role in her death."The family would like to thank the police and coroner for their continuing thorough investigations and for keeping them informed throughout the process.

They await the outcome of the inquest in October."A post-mortem was held last month on July 25 - the day before Amy's funeral, where she was laid to rest in a private ceremony - to find out what caused her death but immediate results were deemed inconclusive.

Some reports had previously suggested the 27-year-old star's cause of death could have been as a result of quitting alcohol after years of heavy drinking, causing her body a shock or seizure.

Following Amy's untimely passing, her father Mitch Winehouse is planning to set up a rehab charity in her memory, with the headquarters set to be at her £2.5 million home.

He said: "It could include help for children in trouble, kids suffering health problems, children's hospices and more. We want to make a positive difference.

"However, Mitch's plans have been delayed because someone else has already registered his proposed name The Amy Winehouse Foundation. Look at Amy's many career achievements in pictures

Winehouse’s father pleads with government on drugs rehab

Amy Winehouse’s father went to parliament on Monday to plead for more state-funded drug rehabilitation centres as his family waits for toxicology test results on the British singer’s death.

Mitch Winehouse discussed plans to tackle a gap in treatment services and wider drugs policy with Crime Minister James Brokenshire.

“I want to involve myself in things that would be important to Amy,” the taxi driver said.

“This isn’t only important to me, this is important to our whole country.

“There’s hundreds of thousands of young people in situations today that could be avoided, and these are our future policemen, doctors and lawyers and solicitors, that we could help.”Winehouse, 27, was found dead at her north London home on July 23. Her death remains unexplained, with toxicology test results due within the next three weeks, although it is not being treated as suspicious.

The soul singer’s sultry vocal talents were often overshadowed by her drink and drug addictions, and her best-known single, “Rehab”, detailed her troubles and reluctance to undergo rehabilitation treatment.

“I think there is a new emphasis and thinking within the government to try and get treatment in at the sharp end rather than money being wasted through the criminal justice system,” Mitch Winehouse said.

“There was one rehab centre for juveniles, Middlegate, which has just shut down because of a lack of funding.

“We were in the fortunate position of being able to fund Amy to go into private rehab, but this is about people who can’t afford it.”Fans of the soul star sent her back on top of this week’s British album chart, which came out Sunday.

Grammy Award-winning album “Back to Black”, which first reached number one in 2007, returned to the summit while Winehouse’s debut release, “Frank”, recharted at number five. A box set of the two albums entered the chart at number 10.

The singer also occupied five spots on the singles chart top 40 with the song “Back to Black” reaching number eight.

Drunk fans create ruckus outside Amy's home

Amy Winehouse's drunken fans created chaos outside the singer's home, forcing neighbours to call the police.

Police were called in as residents complained about the gathered crowd in front of the singer's North London home, who went berserk boozing around and dancing in the street, reported Daily Mail online.

Bottles of wine, cans of beer and cigarette ends were strewn around Camden Square and dumped on the shrine that has built up to the star. Some fans were slumped on the pavements.

The area outside Winehouse's home has been filled with flowers, candles, pictures and heartfelt messages from devastated fans since her death.

Graffiti has also been daubed over buildings and walls with messages to Winehouse. Neighbours became so frustrated that they rang police, who arrived to move the raucous crowds on. One man was arrested.

"We've had four nights of this disturbance. We all have to work. We all have to sleep, and with the drunken nonsense going on a lot of us are finding it hard to get any sleep. Also since when has it been appropriate to show respect for a recently deceased alcoholic with a drunken party?" a neighbour said.

"We were called to reports of disturbances at 10.30pm.One man was arrested for a breach of the peace and some were moved on," a police spokesperson said.

After the celebration got out of hand, police stood guard outside Amy's house alongside a private security guards.

Amy Winehouse foundation for addiction planned

Amy Winehouse's father has revealed plans to set up a foundation in his daughter's name to help people struggling with addiction.
"If you cannot afford a private rehabilitation clinic, there is a two-year waiting list for help," Mitch Winehouse said at the singer's funeral.
He said the 27-year-old had "conquered" her drug addiction and had been "trying hard to deal with her drinking".
He added she had been her happiest "for years" in her final days.
MP Keith Vaz has offered to help with the foundation as Mr Winehouse gave evidence to the Commons home affairs select committee during its inquiry into drugs in 2009.
"I am very happy to help Mitch in any way I can with his important campaign to help rehabilitate those most vulnerable in our society," Mr Vaz said.
On Tuesday, a cremation in Golders Green followed a private service for the singer at Edgwarebury Cemetery in Edgware, north London.
Music producer Mark Ronson and TV star Kelly Osbourne were among the mourners.
At the service, Mitch Winehouse read a eulogy that ended with the words: "Goodnight, my angel, sleep tight. Mummy and Daddy love you ever so much."
He said his Grammy Award-winning daughter, who was found dead on Saturday, had been trying to deal with her drinking and had "just completed three weeks of abstinence".
Mr Winehouse added that his daughter had spoken of her plans to get sober saying: "Dad I've had enough, I can't stand the look on your and the family's faces any more."
"Knowing she wasn't depressed, knowing she... passed away happy, it makes us all feel better," he added.
An inquest into Winehouse's death was opened and adjourned until 26 October at London's St Pancras Coroner's Court on Monday.
A post-mortem examination also took place on Monday, although no cause of death was given. Source : BBC News

Amy Winehouse funeral ends as friends and family bid farewell

Amy Winehouse's body has been cremated at Golders Green Crematorium in North-West London.

The ceremony followed the singer's funeral at nearby Edgwarebury Cemetery and a memorial service at a synagogue in Edgware. Friends including Kelly Osbourne and Mark Ronson attended.

The London venue was chosen because the funeral of Winehouse's grandmother Cynthia also took place there.

A mourner said of the memorial service: "It was emotional, it was happy and it was sad. It was everything really."

One spectator told People: "It was very moving yet quite very humourous at times. It was a wonderful tribute to Amy."

Between 300 and 400 people travelled to Edgwarebury Cemetery in Edgware, North London for the 45-minute ceremony.

The inquest into Winehouse's death was opened yesterday and immediately adjourned until October 26. No cause of death was given following a post-mortem examination of her body.

Friends and family of Winehouse are now moving to the nearby Southgate Progressive Synagogue for a private gathering, BBC News reports.

The funeral service included a eulogy from Amy's father Mitch and ended with a rendition of Carole King's 'So Far Away'.

Stars Bryan Adams, Nick Grimshaw and Remi Nicole also attended the ceremonies. Source: Digital Spy

Winehouse funeral planned for Tuesday

Amy Winehouse's family and friends will lay the tragic singer to rest in a private funeral on Tuesday.The soul star was found dead at her north London home on Saturday, aged just 27, and her closest pals and relatives have been gathering at the Winehouse family home for shiva, the traditional Jewish period of mourning.

A spokesperson for the family announced on Monday that the Grammy Award winner would be buried on Tuesday. The time and location of the ceremony have been kept a secret.

Earlier in the day, U.S. TV personality Sharon Osbourne revealed her daughter Kelly had returned to her native Britain from her home in Los Angeles to mourn the loss of her famous friend.

Osbourne admitted her daughter was struggling to come to terms with the heartbreak and claimed the funeral was being planned for Wednesday.

Discussing Winehouse's passing on The Talk, Osbourne said, "She (Kelly)'s not doing good. She left for England. Right now they think the funeral's on Wednesday... She's with Amy's mum, they're doing shiva at the house. She's there with all the girls that used to hang out (with Winehouse)."

The Osbourne matriarch also recalled the first time Kelly brought Winehouse over to their L.A. home and remembered the troubled singer as a "sweetheart of a girl".

She added, "She was your regular, little girl... When we first met her she drank a lot, but we thought, you know, she's young, she's enjoying her life, she's finding her path, she'll get over that. But then it was the drugs. I never saw that side of her."

And Osbourne claimed she felt most for Winehouse's sick mother, Janis, as she prepares to say goodbye to her beloved daughter for the last time.

She said, "I feel for her mum especially because her mum suffers from MS (multiple sclerosis), so she's not strong... She's not doing good. Her mum knew it was going to happen; her dad knew. It was just time."

Winehouse famously battled drink and drug addictions throughout her career, but a cause of death has yet to be determined after a post-mortem examination conducted on Monday proved inconclusive.
Credit www.torontosun.com

Amy Winehouse unfinished album to be released?

Amy Winehouse's unfinished third album may be given a posthumous release.

Winehouse had been working on the record, the follow-up to 2006's Back to Black, sporadically up until her death on Saturday at the age of 27. The new tracks recorded for the album are said to be mostly in demo format, but there is "a lot of material", The Daily Telegraph reports.

Phil Alexander, editor-in-chief of Mojo magazine, said: "It is inevitable that her death will elevate her reputation and that there will be a third record released.

"It's difficult to place her in the pantheon of greats now because the truth is that her career was still in its early days. That's the tragedy of the situation. She was a wonderful writer. The thing that's very sad about this is that there was so much more to come."

Amy Winehouse autopsy 'not before tomorrow'

Amy Winehouse's death yesterday is currently being treated as 'unexplained'.

Various reports suggest that an autopsy will be carried out either later today or early tomorrow morning to ascertain the cause of the 27-year-old's death. However, it has now reportedly been confirmed that the post-mortem will not take place before tomorrow.

Winehouse was pronounced dead yesterday after police were called to her £2m home in North London.

"Inquiries continue into the circumstances of the death, which at this stage is being treated as unexplained," said a Scotland Yard spokesman. "We do have people we're speaking to but nobody has been arrested.

"A number of people were helping police with their inquiries but we are still trying to establish who was with her when she died. It's fair to say these people are central to police enquiries in piecing together what happened before she died."

A police source reportedly told the paper that Winehouse's death is being treated as "drink and drugs-related".

Since news of Winehouse's death broke yesterday, tributes have continued to pour in from across the entertainment industry, with the likes of Rihanna, Lily Allen and Kelly Osbourne all paying tribute to the late singer.

Bollywood pays tribute to Amy Winehouse

Bollywood stars have been paying tribute to Amy Winehouse, describing her as "an incredible talent".

The 'Back To Black' star, who has publicly struggled with drug and alcohol addictions, was found dead at her home in London's Camden yesterday. She was 27.

Several Bollywood celebrities took to Twitter to express their sorrow.

Sonam Kapoor: " Amy Winehouse for all the demons you faced I hope you at last have found your peace. I loved your big voice and your music. love & peace... Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and now Amy Winehouse all a part of Club 27."

Celina Jaitly: "I cannot believe Amy Winehouse is no more... I just cannot believe it ... so much talent... gone forever... Dear Amy u were and will always be loved by us who loved ur music... may ur troubled soul find solace back at the maestros kingdom!"

Sophie Choudary: "Totally heartbroken. 27 & so much more music to give. RIP."

Pooja Bhatt: "Amy Winehouse found dead... Tragic... 27 is no age to die."

Vishal Dadlani: "Just heard that Amy Winehouse is dead! What a stellar and brilliant artiste! God, I hope it's not true! Someone please say it ain't so! It is true. She's gone! Amy Winehouse, one of the most unique and mercurial songwriters of our time! God keep her safe!"

Shekhar Kapur: "RIP #Amy Winehouse passes away. She really did say #No."

Tributes for the troubled singer have been pouring in from fans and fellow musicians around the world.

Amy Winehouse mourned in Camden

Amy Winehouse fans have paid tribute to the late star by leaving flowers and notes outside her North London home.

Bouquets and personal messages were laid outside the Camden flat of the singer, who died on Saturday aged 27. Friends, including former Big Brother star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace, were also seen mourning for the 'Back to Black' popstar on the streets, and in Winehouse's local pub The Hawley Arms.

According to the BBC, one Hawley Arms regular said: "Everybody's having a good time, but a lot of people are also really sad.

"She made this pub her home and everyone remembers what a good laugh she was. She even used to serve behind the bar sometimes. She was part of the community in Camden."

Doug Charles-Ridler, co-owner of the pub, also called her "a special person with a good soul", adding: "This should not have happened."

An autopsy for the singer, whose death is currently being treated as unexplained, is reported to be taking place later today.

Lady Gaga pay tribute to Amy Winehouse

Lady Gaga: Amy Winehouse "Changed Pop Music Forever"

Feeling a special bond in that she had someone to draw hope from, Lady Gaga has taken to Twitter to pay tribute to Amy Winehouse.

With the message coming on Sunday (July 24), the day after Miss Winehouse's body was found at her London home, Gaga wrote, "Amy changed pop music forever, I remember knowing there was hope, and feeling not alone because of her."

"She lived jazz, she lived the blues," Lady Gaga added of her departed fellow musician - of whom she had the utmost respect.

Along with Gaga, numerous other stars have continued to send out messages regarding the tragic situation, with a few of the many farewell messages below:

Demi Lovato: "Amy Winehouse.. So sad. Unfortunately the world lost an incredibly talented woman to such a powerful disease... addiction."

Kelly Osbourne: "i cant even breath right my now im crying so hard i just lost 1 of my best friends. i love you forever Amy & will never forget the real you!"

LeAnn Rimes: "RIP Amy Winehouse. So sad to see such a talent gone and her life end in tragedy. This makes me terribly sad."

Kim Kardashian: "I just heard the news that Amy Winehouse passed away. What a true talent. I pray she's in a better place & at peace."

Obituary: Amy Winehouse

Amy Jade Winehouse was born on September 14 1983 in Southgate, North London, to parents Mitchell and Janis Winehouse. After showing an early aptitude for music, the 9-year-old Winehouse was encouraged by her grandmother to attend the Susi Earnshaw Theatre School to hone her talents, and it was during this time that she developed a love of jazz, which would later inspire her music.

Winehouse eventually moved to the Sylvia Young Theatre School in Westminster, but was expelled at 14 for reportedly not applying herself to her studies, following which she spent time at the famous BRIT School, in Selhurst, Croydon.

At the age of 18, Winehouse was signed to a management contract by Simon Fuller's 19 Management, and received a heavy amount of interest from record labels before eventually signing with Island/Universal.

After working alongside producer Saleem Remi, Winehouse released her jazz-inspired debut album Frank in 2003 to widespread acclaim from critics. Frank was shortlisted for the 2004 Mercury Music Prize and also earned the singer her first Ivor Novello songwriting award for the single 'Stronger Than Me'.

Despite the success of her debut release, Winehouse would later admit that she had not been entirely happy with the record, and had been pushed by her label to include certain tracks.

While working on the follow-up to Frank in 2005, Winehouse began what would become a tumultuous relationship with the tabloid press, after she began showing increasingly erratic public behaviour, fuelling rumours of heavy drug and alcohol abuse.

2006 saw the release of Winehouse's second album Back to Black, which was co-produced by Remi and Mark Ronson. The album went on to win five Grammy Awards including 'Best New Artist', 'Record of the Year' and 'Song of the Year', and became the best-selling UK album of 2007, as well as the overall third-biggest seller of the decade in the country.

The album was a marked departure from Winehouse's previous musical style on Frank, and featured a sound more inspired by the girl groups of the 1950s and 1960s. Back to Black spawned several successful singles including Winehouse's most well-known songs 'Rehab', 'You Know I'm No Good' and 'Back to Black'.

It was during the promotion of Back to Black that Winehouse's personal troubles began to overshadow her music career, after several panned performances caused her to cancel the remainder of a 17-date tour in August 2007, with the singer's record company citing exhaustion and ill health as the reasons behind the cancellations.

Winehouse found herself in legal difficulties in 2008 after a video emerged on the website of British tabloid The Sun, which seemed to depict the singer smoking crack cocaine and discussing her regular drug use, although no official charges were ever brought against her.

She wed partner Blake Fielder-Civil on May 18, 2007 with a ceremony in Miami, Florida. However, their union would be marred by claims that Fielder-Civil was responsible for fuelling Winehouse's growing substance abuse issues. The newly-married couple were arrested later the same year in Bergen, Norway, on charges of possession of marijuana, but they were both later released with a fine.

The tempestuous marriage began to show signs of trouble after Fielder-Civil was jailed in July 2008 after being found guilty of trying to pervert the course of justice and grievous bodily harm with intent. In January 2009, only one month before Fielder-Civil was due to be released from prison, a spokesperson for Winehouse confirmed that she had been issued with divorce papers.

Despite repeated claims on her part that she wouldn't allow the divorce to go through, Winehouse and Fielder-Civil were officially divorced on August 28, 2009, and it was noted that he had requested no money from the singer as part of the divorce settlement.

Following the end of her marriage to Fielder-Civil, Winehouse retreated to the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia for much of 2009 to begin work on her third album alongside regular collaborator Remi. Despite repeated claims that the album was progressing well, an official release date for the untitled record was never announced.

Winehouse's legal difficulties continued throughout 2009 after she was charged with common assault stemming from an incident at the September 2008 Prince's Trust charity ball. Despite being found not guilty, Winehouse was arrested in December that year again on charges of common assault and was handed a two-year conditional discharge and fine.

Constant paparazzi presence led Winehouse to seek and receive an anti-harassment injunction against the Big Pictures photo agency in May 2009, which stopped the paparazzi from coming within 100 metres of her home or pursuing her.

An interview in late 2010 saw Winehouse insist that she had been drug-free for the past three years, but the singer later admitted herself to the Priory rehabilitation clinic in May 2011 to receive treatment for alcohol addiction. Winehouse was allegedly told by doctors that she needed to 'stop drinking or die', but checked herself out of the clinic after only one week.

Winehouse's music comeback faced problems in June after a disastrous performance in Belgrade that marked the beginning of her 12-date European tour. The singer's vocal performance was critically panned and she was eventually booed off-stage after seeming drunk and disorientated by those in attendance. Following the performance, Winehouse pulled out of scheduled concerts in both Istanbul and Athens before cancelling the entire tour. A spokesperson for the singer said she would be given 'as long as it takes' for her to get back to her best.

On July 23, Amy Winehouse was found dead at her North London home. The singer was 27 years old. Metropolitan Police has so far described the singer's death as 'unexplained', and an autopsy is expected to confirm the cause of death. (Credit : Digital Spy)

Amy Winehouse death: reactions so far

Amy Winehouse's death at the age of 27 today has shaken the world, with tributes pouring in from fellow musicians and fans.

The Back To Black star, who has very publicly struggled with drug and alcohol addictions, was found dead at a residence in Camden this afternoon.

Singer Rihanna: "Dear God have mercy!!! I am sick about this right now! I am genuinely heartbroken about this. Dear Amy."

Singer Pixie Lott: "R.I.P Amy Winehouse. Such a talent you will be missed."

QI host Stephen Fry: "Oh lord. Just heard the news of Amy Winehouse's death. Poor unhappy creature."

Singer Boy George: "I cannot contain my sadness and my anger about Amy Winehouse. Rest in peace child, it is a deeply sad day for many reasons!"

Singer Alexandra Burke: "Omg Amy Winehouse. I am so so sad... My heart goes out to her family. She was so talented and such a lovely lady. May her soul rest in peace. Gone too soon and so young."

Life Stories presenter and former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan, who was one of the first to comment on the news: "Such desperately sad news [about] Amy Winehouse. Supreme natural talent, terrible self-destructive addictive personality."

Singer Jessie J: "The way tears are streaming down my face. Such a loss. RIP Amy. Man.... Something tells me that we'll be talking about Amy in 30 yrs time in the same way we tlk about other music legends who's lives ended early."

Radio 1 DJ Fearne Cotton: "Can not believe the news. Amy was a special girl. The saddest news."

Presenter Phillip Schofield: "Just heard the sad news that Amy Winehouse has died. At only 27 what a terrible waste of a great talent. Sincere condolences to her family."

Former Spice Girl Emma Bunton: "Such sad news about Amy Winehouse. My thoughts are with her family."

Singer LeAnn Rimes: "RIP Amy Winehouse. So sad to see such a talent gone and her life end in tragedy. This makes me terribly sad."

Sarah Brown, wife of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown: "Sad sad news of Amy Winehouse - great talent, extraordinary voice, and tragic death, condolences to her family."

Singer Olly Murs: "Oh god! Terrible news about amy winehouse I've just seen reports over her death! Such an amazing talent! Thoughts go out to her family!"

Rapper Tinchy Stryder: "Sad news man! My thoughts go out to her family & Friends. R.I.P Amy Winehouse."

Singer Nicki Minaj: "Please tell me Amy Winehouse didn't die. Is this some sick joke?"

Friend and TV personality Kelly Osbourne: "I can't even breath right my now. I'm crying so hard. I just lost one of my best friends. I love you forever Amy & will never forget the real you!"

Celebrity Rehab star Dr Drew: "So sad, another lost to addiction. A reminder this is often a fatal condition. Recovery is possible, but sadly not for Amy Winehouse."

Model Kayla Collins: "Its scary what drugs & alcohol can do to your life... So sad that Amy Winehouse passed away, at 27 years old!"

Footballer Rio Ferdinand: "Just woke up to news that Amy Winehouse has been found dead....such sad news, such a great raw talent, a shame it had to end this way."

Singer Natasha Bedingfield: "I'm so sad to hear about Amy Winehouse just dying. My heart and prayers go out to her family. Such a terrible loss for us all."

Singer Ricky Martin: "I just found out. I feel pain. I feel anger. Rest beautiful girl rest. You are free! RIP Amy."

Actress Marlee Matlin: "Just read...Amy Winehouse died. Shocking that such a young but troubled talent died. Tragic. Thoughts with her family. RIP."

Siva Kaneswaran of The Wanted: "Very sad news. May her soul finally rest in peace. Feel so privilege to had met such a talent just a few days ago. RIP Amy."

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver: "Such a terrible shame to loose Amy Winehouse. Such a talent, such a waste, raw talent."

Singer Lily Allen: "It's just beyond sad, there's nothing else to say. She was such a lost soul, may she rest in peace."

X Factor contestant Katie Waissel: "I can't believe it. In total shock, heart's broken. All my love & thoughts to Amy's family. You're true beauty talent & soul will shine on forever."

Emmerdale actor Lyndon Ogbourne: "Unbelievably sad, sad news - Amy Winehouse was found dead at her flat this afternoon. Argh!!! I want to cry! You were an amazingly talented woman! It breaks my heart...Remembered for your beautiful soul."

X Factor boyband One Direction: "We are all really sadden to hear the recent news about Amy Winehouse. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time."

Presenter Davina McCall: "Amy Winehouse found dead at her home. So very very sad. A huge talent."

Celebrity Juice funnyman Leigh Francis: "I use to live near Amy Winehouse. Only ever met her once but she was very nice and polite. Called me Mr Francis. Sad news."

Oritse Williams of JLS: "I can't believe what i've just been told! Amy Winehouse you are one of my all time music heroes! You are now in a better place...times like this remind me why its so important to live live to the fullest!! Amy Winehouse you will be a legend in all out hearts!"

Model Katie Price: "Omg how sad. Amy Winehouse been found dead. Tragic. My thoughts are with her family."

X Factor contestant Lloyd Daniels: "One tweet today, dedicated to one amazing singer, Amy Winehouse I will miss you. Rest in Peace!"

X Factor winner Joe McElderry: "So sad about Amy winehouse!! People should have stepped in and helped the poor girl! Such a talented girl."

Rochelle Wiseman of The Saturdays: "Wow, RIP Amy Winehouse. Musical legend. Jessus!!"

Television personality Calum Best: "Poor Amy, must have had so many demons to go out like that. Hopefully at peace now. RIP Amy Winehouse. Thoughts and prayers to her family and friends."

Presenter Denise Van Outen: "So sad Amy Winehouse is dead. Her music will live forever. A great artist of our generation."

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian: "I just heard the news that Amy Winehouse passed away. What a true talent. I pray she's in a better place & at peace."

Actress Demi Lovato: "Amy Winehouse.. So sad. Unfortunately the world lost an incredibly talented woman to such a powerful disease... addiction."

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest: "Sad to lose Amy Winehouse - incred talent. Both @LadyGaga & @OfficialAdele say Amy paved way for them."

Singer Katy Perry: "RIP Amy Winehouse. May she finally find peace."

Actress Jessica Alba: "So sad about Amy Winehouse - she was so talented. Really tragic."

JLS member Marvin Humes: "I was fortunate enough to meet Amy about 8 years ago when she was promoting her Frank album..still one of my fave albums of all time. I was only listening to it in Portugal last week. One thing I remember Amy saying to me was to keep writing music...that will stay with me forever now. Amy, Rest In Peace."

Burlesque artists Dita Von Teese: "Please someone tell me the news about Amy Winehouse isn't true. Devastated. I spent extraordinary times with Amy. She sang for me once for hours, it was the most beautiful& touching thing. A huge loss. She was the closet thing we have ever had to Billie Holiday, she was a true soulful talent. I'm so sad. I hope she is at peace."

R&B star Usher: "I'm so sad to hear the horrible news of Amy Winehouse's death. I'm so happy I knew you Amy...Rest Well. Gone Too Soon...we'll miss you!"

Singer Michelle Branch: "So gutted to hear about Amy Winehouse. I was just listening to her last night and we were talking about how we hoped she would get well. RIP."

Actor David Boreanaz: "RIP Amy Winehouse. Tragic loss at such a young age."

Actor Alec Baldwin: "Amy Winehouse. How sad."

Actress Demi Moore: "Truly sad news about Amy Winehouse. My heart goes out to her family. May her troubled soul find peace."

Saturday Night Live star Seth Meyers: "Years ago [Jason] Sudeikis told me Winehouse's "Valerie" was as good a start-the-day song you'll hear. He was right. I'll miss her."  Credit: Digital Spy

Please post your own tributes to the singer below.

Amy Winehouse has been found dead at the age of 27.

The Grammy Award-winning singer died at her North London home this afternoon, just days after appearing onstage with her 15-year-old goddaughter Dionne Bromfield.

Metropolitan Police have released a statement, confirming: "Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased.

"On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene. Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained."

London Ambulance Service said that it sent two vehicles to the flat after receiving an emergency call at 3.54pm, but Winehouse was unresponsive and could not be revived.

Raj Kohli of the Metropolitan Police formally confirmed tonight that the deceased woman was Winehouse, and added that she was pronounced dead at the scene.

He also said that enquiries into the circumstances of her death are continuing and no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

"I am aware of reports suggesting that this death is the result of a suspect drugs overdose," Kohli told members of the press. "But I would like to re-emphasise that no post mortem examination has yet taken place and it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause of death.

"I would urge the media to avoid speculation that may cause further stress to Ms Winehouse's family at this diffcult time. The death of any person is a sad time for friends family, particularly somebody in the case of Amy Winehouse [who is] very well-known nationally and internationally. My sympathy extends not just to her immediate family, but to millions of fans across the world."

An autopsy is reportedly scheduled to take place tomorrow.

Winehouse's record label Universal described her as "a gifted musician, artist and performer", and added: "Our prayers go out to Amy's family, friends and fans."

Chris Goodman, Winehouse's spokesman, also released a statement, saying: "Everyone who is involved with Amy is shocked and devastated. Our thoughts are with her family and friends. The family will issue a statement when ready."

Despite receiving widespread critical acclaim for her 2003 debut album Frank and its 2006 follow-up Back To Black, Winehouse also became notorious for her continued struggle with drink and drug addictions and her repeated admissions to rehab.

She most recently sought treatment in May, which forced the delay of a planned third studio album.

She later cancelled her European tour after being booed offstage at a show in Belgrade, her last public performance. Witnesses at the doomed date claimed that she was intoxicated and did not want to play.

Winehouse was allegedly told by doctors in May that she would die if she refused to give up alcohol. She was said to have passed out after three separate drinking sessions in July. Credit : Digital Spy

Amy Winehouse European Tour

Amy Winehouse has axed the remaining dates on her scheduled summer tour of Europe following a disastrous comeback performance in Serbia over weekend, during which the five-time Grammy winner was booed and jeered as she wandered around stage in a drunken stupor.

She initially pulled out of two festival shows, but decided to axe all dates and focus on conquering her ongoing addiction to drugs and alcohol, her rep says. Amy, 27, has had a long battle with substance abuse, which has at times overshadowed her career. Just three weeks ago, she spent a week at the Priory clinic in south west London detoxing in preparation for the tour.

“Amy Winehouse is withdrawing from all scheduled performances. Everyone involved wishes to do everything they can to help her return to her best and she will be given as long as it takes for this to happen.” says Winehouse’s manager Ray Cosbert, who has reportedly ordered the star to take a substantial amount of time out from the spotlight to address her personal problems.

“It has been hard for Ray to watch her get into trouble over the years. There’s only so much he can do – but enough’s enough. She’s going away and this time it could be for years,” a source tells British tabloid The Sun.

The charttopping singer of hits including “Rehab” and “Love is a Losing Game” had been due to perform a series of European dates, including Turkey, Greece, and Bilbao on July 8. The tour had been scheduled to wrap up on in Portugal on Aug. 4.

Quit drinking or die, doctors tell Amy

Singer Amy Winehouse's doctors have given her an ultimatum - either she should quit drinking or brace herself for the worst.

The 27-year-old is being currently treated at rehabilitation clinic The Priory, where she checked into last week, reports thesun.co.uk.

"This is the last chance saloon for Amy. Doctors have come down hard on her because of the severity of her situation. It's a harsh reality but she had to hear it," said a source.

Winehouse' father Mitch and boyfriend Reg Traviss were also beside her when she was being advised by doctors and they begged her to heed the professionals' advice.

"They are worried about her. Mitch has been down this road before during Amy's drug addiction. But she is there of her own accord this time and wants to sort herself out," the source said.

Winehouse has heard harsh words at the clinic earlier too, during her several stints between 2007 and 2009 when she needed help with her addiction to drugs.

She hopes to sort out her problems for a number of shows in Europe this summer. She is due to perform in Serbia, Greece, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary and Romania.

Amy Winehouse's 'underwear cleaning addiction'

Amy Winehouse has become addicted to cleaning in her underwear, according to sources.

The ‘Rehab’ singer let the secret slip at a North London charity shop, where she gave away Alexander McQueen dresses and designs by Luella Bartley.

“Amy turned up in a people carrier with loads of stuff in bin liners. Top, top designer gear,” the Daily Telegraph quoted a source as saying.

“You’d imagine half of it would be covered in fag burns and smell of wild nights out but it was all in tip-top condition. Amy was joking with the shop girls that she has become addicted to cleaning.

“She has just moved house and said it was therapeutic getting her Marigolds on in just her underwear and having a clear out,” the source added.

Winehouse 'paid £1m for New Year's Eve gig'

Amy Winehouse will reportedly be paid £1m to perform at a private party in Moscow on New Year's Eve.

According to The Sun, the star will sing for a Russian billionaire and his guests and is using the gig to prepare for her upcoming dates in Brazil.

A source said: "This is the strongest Amy has felt in a very long time.

"She is determined to go down in history as a world-class performer, not someone who ruined a spectacular talent through drugs. The long road back starts in Moscow. This is like a warm-up with a nice financial bonus."

Her spokesman added: "Amy is warming up for her Brazil dates. She's keen to perform in front of a live audience again."