The family of singer Amy Winehouse said today they have been left ''bereft'' by her death at the age of 27.

Celebrities and fans have lined up to pay tribute to the singer after she was found dead at her home in Camden, north London yesterday.

The family's statement said: ''Our family has been left bereft by the loss of Amy, a wonderful daughter, sister, niece. She leaves a gaping hole in our lives. We are coming together to remember her and we would appreciate some privacy and space at this terrible time.''

The singer had been troubled by drink and drugs problems throughout her career and news of her death was quickly followed by suggestions that it could be related to one or the other.

The troubled Back To Black artist cancelled all tour dates and engagements last month after a series of erratic public appearances.

But news that she had been found dead at her north London home just before 4pm yesterday came as a shock to many.

The singer's grief-stricken mother Janis said she had seen her daughter the day before she was found dead.

She said: ''She seemed out of it. But her passing so suddenly still hasn't hit me.''

The award-winning performer had said ''I love you'' at the end of a day out together, and her mother said she would always treasure those words.

Her father, taxi driver-turned jazz singer Mitch Winehouse, who flew back from New York when he heard the devastating news, said: ''This isn't real. I'm completely devastated.''

Today police confirmed that a post-mortem examination on the 27-year-old's body will not be scheduled before tomorrow.

A spokesman for the soul star said: ''Everyone involved with Amy is shocked and devastated. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

''The family will issue a statement when ready.''

London Ambulance Service said it was called to Winehouse's home in Camden Square at 3.54pm.

Two ambulance crews arrived at the scene within five minutes and a cycle responder also attended, according to a spokeswoman.

A section of the road where the singer lived was cordoned off, while fans and residents gathered at the police tapes, some laying flowers.

A neighbour who did not want to be named said she saw the singer's grief-stricken boyfriend on the ground outside the house.

Forensic officers were seen going in and out of the building and a black private ambulance pulled up outside the house at around 8.45pm.

Officials bearing a red body bag emerged minutes later.

As well as flocking to her home, fans also paid tribute at the Hawley Arms pub in Camden, once a favourite haunt of the pop star.

Tributes poured in from celebrities, among them her collaborator Mark Ronson.

The producer 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.''

Sylvia Young, of Sylvia Young Theatre School, where a young Winehouse was given a half-scholarship, described the singer as ''a wild spirit'' who was also ''extremely bright''.

''We thought she would do very well in the musical field,'' she said. ''Certainly she was a wild spirit.

''She was her own person, she would follow what she wanted to do, there was no question about that.''

Winehouse joins the notorious ''27 Club'' of musicians who have died at that age after struggling to cope with fame.

They include Rolling Stone Brian Jones, who drowned in a swimming pool in 1969; guitarist Jimi Hendrix, who choked to death in 1970 after mixing wine with sleeping pills; and singer Janis Joplin, who suffered a suspected heroin overdose the same year.

Doors star Jim Morrison, who died of heart failure in 1971, and Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, who shot himself in 1994, are also members.