Tara Palmer-Tomkinson (born December 23, 1971) is a well-known one-time English “It girl” turned television personality and presenter.

Early life

Her parents are Charles and Patricia Palmer-Tomkinson, an Anglo-Argentine. Tara’s father is Prince Charles’s closest friend, and represented his country as a skier at Olympic level. Tara grew up on her parents’ estate in Dummer, Hampshire, and was educated at Sherborne School for Girls in Dorset. She is the younger sister of author Santa Montefiore, and was the basis of a main character in Santa’s book Last Voyage of the Valentina; she also has an older brother named James.

Notoriety

Since 1990, her antics have been well-covered by the British tabloid press, and in the mid to late 1990s, she wrote a weekly column for the Sunday Times. She is regularly, and perhaps derisively, referred to as “posh” as are other British upper-class “It girls”.

In 1999, she made an appearance on Frank Skinner’s chat show on ITV1, dishevelled and disjointed. Within 48 hours, she checked into an exclusive rehab clinic in Arizona.

She most recently appeared in the British television series I’m a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here!, finishing runner up. In November 2005, Palmer-Tomkinson presented her third ‘behind the scenes’ series on ITV2 for the hit show I’m a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here! Now. She has also appeared on the reality shows Spelling Bee and Cold turkey, which followed her attempts to quit smoking with Sophie Anderton, a celebrity special of A place in the sun and in episodes of Tabloid tales, With a little help from my friends and Celebrities under pressure.

Played herself in an episode of Footballers’ wives and the British film Mad cows.

Briefly presented Animals do the funniest things with Tony Blackburn.

Hosted the first Junior Eurovision and appeared in Comic Relief Does Fame Academy.

Courtesy Of Wikipedia

Appeared as a team captain on Bognor or bust presented by Angus Deayton.

Has guest presented on LBC Radio.

In 2006, Palmer-Tomkinson had British tabloids in a frenzy following her rumoured relationship with singers Pete Doherty, James Blunt and Robbie Williams with whom she also claimed to have spent 10 days in bed. More recently she asserted that this incident is untrue. Williams has said that he penned his number one song ‘Life through a lens’ for her. Also in 2006, Palmer-Tomkinson received extensive publicity after her Septum nasi separating her two nostrils collapsed due to her former addiction to cocaine. Pictures were printed in several British tabloids and in Now magazine.

Has recently written a regular column in Closer magazine and signed a publishing deal for her first book, a non fiction piece. In early 2006 she also hosted her own weekdaily show on music channel The Hits.