The singer Amy Winehouse has been found dead at her flat in north London at the age of 27

The singer Amy Winehouse has been found dead at her flat in north London at the age of 27. The award-winning artist, famous for hits including Rehab from the critically-acclaimed album Back to Black, was discovered by police in the late afternoon. Her death was being treated on Saturday night as "unexplained".

The Metropolitan police said: "Police were called by London ambulance service to an address in Camden Square 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."

Winehouse was last seen with her goddaughter Dionne Bromfield earlier last week when the teenager performed at the iTunes festival.

Tributes have begun to pour in to one of the most celebrated and troubled British artists of recent times. Radio 1 DJ Fearne Cotton said on Twitter: "Can not believe the news. Amy was a special girl. The saddest news."

Singer and presenter Myleene Klass wrote: "OMG. Amy Winehouse. Exceptional talent and really nice lady. RIP."

Presenter Phillip Schofield added: "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."

Singer and radio presenter Emma Bunton said: "Such sad news about Amy Winehouse. My thoughts are with her family."

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

Winehouse had suffered a well publicised battle with drink and drug abuse which saw her withdraw from all of her scheduled performances last month after a series of erratic performances.

She started her 12-leg European tour in Belgrade but was booed off the stage after appearing to forget her lyrics. She then pulled out of performances in Istanbul and Athens before she cancelled the tour.

A statement released by the troubled singer's spokesperson said that she would be given "as long as it takes" to recover. "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."

Winehouse entered the Priory Clinic in May where she stayed for one week. She remained an outpatient there.

She rose to fame with her debut album Frank in 2003 which was feted by music critics in the UK and nominated for the Mercury music prize, but it was her 2006 follow-up album Back to Black which catapulted her to stardom and led to six Grammy awards. The album became the third-biggest selling album of the 2000s.

Winehouse had been working on her long-awaited new album for the past three years and spent a stint in St Lucia in 2009 working on new material.

Fears had been growing for Winehouse following her disastrous appearance in Belgrade last month. Three years ago in an interview with the Sunday Mirror, Winehouse's mother Janis said she would be unsurprised if her daughter died before her time.

She said: "I've known for a long time that my daughter has problems. But seeing it on screen rammed it home. I realise my daughter could be dead within the year. We're watching her kill herself, slowly.

"I've already come to terms with her death. I've steeled myself to ask her what ground she wants to be buried in, which cemetery. Because the drugs will get her if she stays on this road."

She added: "I look at Heath Ledger and Britney [Spears]. It's like watching a car crash – this person throwing all these gifts away."