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The BBC's David Sillito: "Her private life was something of a mess."
Singer Amy Winehouse, 27, has been found dead at her north London home.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed that a 27-year-old woman had died in Camden and that the cause of death was as yet unexplained.The Brit and Grammy award-winner had struggled with drink and drug addiction and had recently spent time in rehab.
Her record label Universal called her "a gifted musician, artist and performer", adding: "Our prayers go out to Amy's family, friends and fans."
She pulled out of a comeback tour last month after a disastrous appearance at her first gig.
Jeered at gig Winehouse cancelled the European tour after being jeered at the show in Serbia, when she appeared too drunk to perform.
For 90 minutes, she mumbled through parts of songs and at times left the stage - leaving her band to fill in.
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This was her favourite Camden pub - but the management appeared determined not to turn the night into a wake. Some of her closest friends repaired to a quiet room upstairs to watch the rolling news coverage. But on the two floors below the party was in full swing, powered by indie classics and sixties ska.
"Everybody's having a good time, but a lot of people are also really sad," one regular told me.
"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."
Her friend Krystal, at 27 the same age as Amy, showed me the Hawley Arms beer mats on which they had written tributes to the singer. They clearly felt they had lost one of their own.
It was a very Camden memorial, and one you felt sure Amy would have approved of.
At the scene
All the televisions were switched off in the bar at the Hawley Arms when news broke of Amy Winehouse's death.This was her favourite Camden pub - but the management appeared determined not to turn the night into a wake. Some of her closest friends repaired to a quiet room upstairs to watch the rolling news coverage. But on the two floors below the party was in full swing, powered by indie classics and sixties ska.
"Everybody's having a good time, but a lot of people are also really sad," one regular told me.
"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."
Her friend Krystal, at 27 the same age as Amy, showed me the Hawley Arms beer mats on which they had written tributes to the singer. They clearly felt they had lost one of their own.
It was a very Camden memorial, and one you felt sure Amy would have approved of.
She had recently finished a course of alcohol rehabilitation in London and at the time was under strict instructions not to drink.
A section of the road where the singer lived was cordoned off on Saturday evening, as journalists, local residents and fans gathered at the police tapes.Forensic officers were seen going in and out of the building.
In a statement - police spokesman Superintendent Raj Kohli said Winehouse's death was being treated as "unexplained."
It had been reported that Winehouse died of a drugs overdose but Superintendent Kohli said "it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause of death."
He added: "My sympathy extends not just to her immediate family but clearly to the thousands and millions of fans across the world."
Winehouse won widespread acclaim with her 2003 debut album, Frank - which was nominated for the Mercury prize.
But it was 2006's Back to Black which brought her worldwide stardom, winning five Grammy Awards.
The record's producer Mark Ronson said in a statement: "She was my musical soulmate and like a sister to me.
"This is one of the saddest days of my life."
Hip-hop producer Salaam Remi, who also worked on Winehouse's albums Frank and Back To Black, paid tribute to her on Twitter saying: "Very Very Sad Day. Just lost a Great Friend and a Sister."
He added: "RIP my baby SiS Cherry Winehouse. Love ya always."
News of her death has also prompted other tributes from other celebrity friends.
Fans have left floral tributes to Winehouse at Camden Square Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood announced he is to dedicate his Saturday night show on Absolute Radio to Winehouse. He said: "It's a very sad loss of a very good friend I spent many great times with".
He added a reunion performance by his former group The Faces in Hurtwood, Surrey, would also be dedicated to the singer.
BBC Radio 1 DJ Fearne Cotton wrote: "Can not believe the news. Amy was a special girl. The saddest news."
Daily Telegraph rock critic Neil McCormick said he was "utterly shocked" at her death.
Last appearance He said she had appeared focused when giving an "incredible performance" for a recent studio recording of a duet with Tony Bennett.
"It's deeply sad. It's the most completely tragic waste of talent that I can remember," he added.
Doug Charles-Ridler, co-owner of Winehouse's favourite Camden pub The Hawley Arms, called her "a special person with a good soul," adding, "this should not have happened".
The singer danced with Bromfield and encouraged the audience to buy her album in the impromptu appearance before leaving the stage.
At the time she pulled out of the tour, her spokesman had said everyone wanted to do everything to "help her return to her best".
Amy Winehouse found dead, aged 27
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July 23, 2011
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