23 July 2011Last updated at 20:55

In pictures: Amy Winehouse

Singer Amy Winehouse has been found dead at her home in north London, aged 27. Police said the cause of death was as yet unexplained.

Born in 1983, Winehouse was discovered by soul singer Tyler James at the age of 16.

She won widespread acclaim with her 2003 debut album, Frank. But it was her second record Back to Black in 2006, which brought her worldwide stardom.

The star's struggle with drink and drugs was well-documented. She recently pulled out of a European tour, after being jeered at her first gig in Serbia. Fans said she appeared too drunk to perform.

Her troubled relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil made many headlines. The couple married in Miami in 2007, but divorced two years later.

She won the Ivor Novello Award three times and Back to Black was named the UK's biggest-selling album of 2007. The same year the star performed at the prestigious Mercury Music Prize Awards.

She became the only British artist to win five Grammy Awards in one night. In 2007, Winehouse was named best British female artist at the Brit Awards and performed with the legendary Rolling Stones at the Isle Of Wight festival.

Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood announced the dedication of 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 said a reunion performance by his former group The Faces in Hurtwood, Surrey, would also be dedicated to the singer.

Winehouse teamed up with producer Mark Ronson on a cover version of The Zutons' track Valerie. Originally reworked for Jo Whiley's Live Lounge show on BBC Radio 1, the track was eventually released as part of Ronson's second studio album, Version, in 2007.

Waxwork model of Amy Winehouse with her parents

In 2008, Winehouse's parents Mitch and Janis attended the launch of Winehouse's waxwork model at London's Madame Tussauds. The model was complete with the star's trademark beehive and sailor tattoos. The model was dressed in the outfit worn by the singer to the Brit Awards.

Close friend Kelly Osbourne paid tribute to Winehouse via micro-blogging site Twitter. "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," she said.

Winehouse's health often appeared fragile. In June 2008 and again in April 2010, she was taken to hospital and treated for injuries after fainting and falling at home.

She also had run-ins with the law, including a caution by police in 2008 for assault after she slapped a man during a night out.

It was thought that Winehouse had been working on the follow-up to Back to Black, with hip hop producer Salaam Remi. She recently recorded a duet with Tony Bennett for his album Duets II.

Entertainment & Arts

In pictures: Amy Winehouse

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