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Tara Palmer-Tomkinson Dead: Socialite And Reality TV Star Dies Aged 45 After Brain Tumour Diagnosis

Tara's party lifestyle was the stuff of legend.
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By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

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Tara Palmer-Tomkinson has died aged 45, it has been confirmed. 

The former party-loving socialite has passed away in her London home, according to investigating authorities, only months after she revealed she was battling a brain tumour. 

She was a close family friend of the Prince of Wales, and he and the Duchess of Cornwall have expressed their sadness at the news. “Our thoughts are so much with the family,” they add, referring to their great friends. 

A police spokesman stated: “Police were called by London Ambulance Service at approximately 13:40hrs on Wednesday, 8 February to an address in Bramham Gardens, SW5.

“A woman, aged in her 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin have been informed.

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Tara Palmer-Tomkinson has been found dead in her London home, following a secret year-long battle with a brain tumour
John Walton/EMPICS Sport

“The death is being treated as unexplained. At this early stage, police are not treating the death as suspicious.

“Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing. The Coroner has been informed.”

The former ‘It’ girl had revealed in November that she had been diagnosed with a brain tumour the previous year, but had chosen to keep the news from the public, while she underwent her treatment. 

Tara’s parents Charles and Patti Palmer-Tomkinson were two of Prince Charles’s great skiing buddies. With her impeccable aristocratic connections, her name was a must-have on every guest-list and her party-loving lifestyle became the stuff of legend. 

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Tara with her long-time family friend Prince Charles
Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Archive

She was a popular guest on many a reality show and TV panel. She appeared on the first series of ‘I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here’, and she triumphed on the BBC’s Comic Relief version of ‘Fame Academy’. She also worked as a columnist for newspapers and magazines including the Sunday Times and Tatler.

However, her health was hindered by a cocaine addiction she battled throughout the 1990s - at one time she was rumoured to have spent £400 a day on the drug that eventually robbed her of her nasal septum, and she underwent restorative surgery in 2006.

She once said: I’m not going to sit there and be ashamed of what I did, because I have had a life.”

Remembering Tara in pictures... 

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson
(01 of30)
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ALNWICK, ENGLAND - JUNE 22: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the wedding of Melissa Percy and Thomas van Straubenzee at Alnwick Castle on June 22, 2013 in Alnwick, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images) (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
(02 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 18: Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends The Frost family final Summer Party to raise money for the Miles Frost Fund in partnership with the British Heart Foundation on July 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for British Heart Foundation) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(03 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends as Supporting Wounded Veterans and Skiing With Heroes host a private view of 'You Say You Want A Revolution: Records And Rebels 1966-70' at The V&A on October 3, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(04 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson (L) and Dame Joan Collins attend the launch of Dame Joan Collins' new book 'The St. Tropez Lonely Hearts Club' at Harry's Bar on May 5, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(05 of30)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 21: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson is sighted leaving the Westbury Hotel, Mayfair on October 21, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Niki Nikolova/FilmMagic) (credit:Niki Nikolova via Getty Images)
(06 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends Brown's Hotel Summer Party attends Brown's Hotel May 14, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images for Brown's Hotel, London) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(07 of30)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 07: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson sighting at Buddha Bar on April 6, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Niki Nikolova/FilmMagic) (credit:Niki Nikolova via Getty Images)
(08 of30)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 03: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the Blue concert at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on May 3, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by C Brandon/Redferns via Getty Images) (credit:C Brandon via Getty Images)
(09 of30)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 25: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson seen arriving at Library members club launch on June 25, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by William A Parker/GC Images) (credit:William A Parker via Getty Images)
(10 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson seen visiting Richard Ward Hairdressers in Chelsea before heading to lunch on January 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle/GC Images) (credit:Neil Mockford/Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
(11 of30)
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LONDON - JUNE 18: Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends the BNP Paribas Tennis Classic at The Hurlingham Club on June 18, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(12 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 16: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the 175th Anniversary party of Brown's Hotel at Rocco Forte's Brown?s Hotel on May 16, 2013 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images for Rocco Forte's Brown's Hotel) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
(13 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends the WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party presented by Dubai Duty Free at Kensington Roof Gardens on June 21, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:Dave M. Benett via Getty Images)
(14 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition Preview Party at Royal Academy of Arts on May 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:Dave M. Benett via Getty Images)
(15 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the European premiere of The Lucky One at The Bluebird on April 23, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
(16 of30)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 06: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Duncan James and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson dine at Buddha Bar on April 6, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Robert Milan/FilmMagic) (credit:Mark Robert Milan via Getty Images)
(17 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Tara Palmer Tomkinson appears in store to launch the Klosters Snow Polo tournament at Hackett London on December 7, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images) (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(18 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 17: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the opening night launch party for Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park on November 17, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images) (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(19 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the summer party at The Serpentine Gallery on June 28, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(20 of30)
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Tara Palmer-Tomkinson Arriving For The Pride Of Britain Awards At The Grosvenor House Hotel, London. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images) (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
(21 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends the relaunch of the Beauty Hall at John Lewis Oxford Street Store on May 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage) (credit:Ferdaus Shamim via Getty Images)
(22 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 08: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends a cockail party celebrating 35 years of Taki's 'High Life' column hosted by Asprey and The Spectator at Asprey London on June 8, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:Dave M. Benett via Getty Images)
(23 of30)
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Tara Palmer-Tomkinson arrives to attend the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
(24 of30)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 28: Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends the summer party at The Serpentine Gallery on June 28, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Fred Duval/FilmMagic) (credit:Fred Duval via Getty Images)
(25 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the Orange British Academy Film Awards nominees party hosted by Asprey London on February 12, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (credit:Dave M. Benett via Getty Images)
(26 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 16: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the Attitude Magazine Hot 100 party at Paramount Club on July 16, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images) (credit:Ben A. Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(27 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 01: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends a party to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Range Rover hosted by Vogue at The Orangery on July 1, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/Getty Images) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
(28 of30)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 07: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson attends the private view of 'Art Of Giving' at Saatchi Gallery on October 7, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Stuart Wilson via Getty Images)
(29 of30)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends the Lastminute.com Summer Kick Off Party at The Mayfair Hotel on May 19, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Ferdaus Shamim/Getty Images) (credit:Ferdaus Shamim via Getty Images)
(30 of30)
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LONDON - MAY 19: Tara Palmer Tomkinson attends the Lastminute.com Summer Kick Off Party at The Mayfair Hotel on May 19, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Ferdaus Shamim/Getty Images) (credit:Ferdaus Shamim via Getty Images)
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