Tara Palmer-Tomkinson dies aged 45

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson Credit: Ian West/PA

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson has died at the age of 45.

It comes just months after the former I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here contestant revealed she was being treated for a brain tumour.

She was reportedly found dead at her London home at 1.40pm on Wednesday by police.

Close family friend the Prince of Wales and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall were among the first to pay tribute to her, saying they were "deeply saddened and our thoughts are so much with the family".

Ms Palmer-Tomkinson was a runner up on reality show I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! Credit: John Walton/EMPICS Sport

Police confirmed they were called by London Ambulance Service to an address South London where a woman in her 40s was pronounced dead at the scene.

An officer has been stationed outside Ms Palmer-Tomkinson's property Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA
Credit: PA
Credit: PA

The socialite and reality TV star had revealed she was being treated for a non-malignant growth in her pituitary gland in November as she opened up about her battle dealing with her diagnosis.

She told the Daily Mail: "I went to the doctors to talk about my latest blood test results when I got back from skiing in January. I said: 'What does this mean? Can you translate it?' And the doctor said: 'As I suspected, you have a brain tumour'.

"I got terribly frightened. I started thinking 'I'm going to die, I'm going to die. I've only got a couple of weeks to live.' Stuff like that."

Credit: PA

During her career in the spotlight the former newspaper columnist and later reality star spoke frankly about her personal demons including drug addiction.

In a heartfelt interview on ITV show Jeremy Kyle: The Celebrity Specials she even described her close call with death after overdosing on cocaine.

She said: "I remember timing my heart because I knew it was going to stop and I remember my telephone was (a few metres away) ... I remember crawling on my hands and knees to pick up the phone and call ... and then I woke up in hospital."

"I think that was the night I had an overdose. I have never attempted suicide ... I think it was a cry for help."

She also talked opening about her addiction and recovery while in the I'm A Celebrity camp telling fellow contestant Christine Hamilton; "The one time when I do feel it is when i'm feeling great I just want to feel a little bit greater, you know you just want to keep the high going".

Ms Palmer-Tomkinson eventually managed to quit drugs after a 35-day stint at an Arizona rehab clinic, but readmitted herself to the clinic nine years later when she thought she was having a nervous breakdown.

The former IT girl said: "I am a recluse ... I get terribly anxious going out."

Ms Palmer-Tomkinson has spoken openly about her personal battles with fame Credit: John Stillwell/PA

Tributes were paid to the star on Twitter following the news of her death, with Piers Morgan describing Ms Palmer-Tomkinson as a "fun, feisty woman".

Fellow I'm a Celebrity alumni Darren Day, Tony Blackburn, and Christine Hamilton also tweeted their condolences in the wake of her death, remembering her fondly as a "sweet person".

Presenters Ant and Dec added their condolences online describing Ms Palmer-Tomkinson as a "true one off with a huge, generous heart".

Former Blue star Duncan James also used social media to share his grief at the loss of his dear friends, tweeting: "I'm going to miss ur laughter the most shmooey".