Tulisa, 36, mourns loss of father with heartbreaking four-word statement as tributes pour in
Tulisa has shared the devastating news that her father, Plato Contostavlos, has passed away.
The 36-year-old N-Dubz star posted a touching tribute on Instagram early Tuesday morning, alongside a childhood photo of herself cuddling her dad.
In the caption, she wrote: “Love you pops, rest in peace.
“Forever my father’s daughter.”
Plato, a talented musician in his own right, was a keyboard player for the iconic blues band Mungo Jerry, best known for their chart-topping 1970 hit In The Summertime.
The band also found success with tracks like Lady Rose and Alright, Alright, Alright.
Tragically, Plato’s brother Byron, who played bass in the same band, died young – a loss that impacted the family deeply, particularly his son Dappy – Tulisa’s cousin and N-Dubz bandmate.
Dappy also paid tribute to his late uncle by sharing a heartfelt video of them together, accompanied by the image of a white dove.
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Tributes have since poured in from fans under Tulisa’s Instagram post.
One wrote: “Sorry for your loss T, you’re making him proud. Sending my love.”
Another commented: “I’m so, so sorry. He must be incredibly proud of you. Sending all my love. Rest peacefully.”
A third added: “May his soul rest in perfect peace,” while another fan shared: “My condolences to you and your family. May God cover you all.”
One touching message read: “So much love, T. He’s with B now.”
Speaking last year on Paul Brunson’s We Need To Talk podcast, Tulisa reflected on her relationship with her dad: “Me and my dad’s relationship has not been a conventional one. I would say me and my dad now, we’re just more friends that kind of have an understanding of one another.”
She also credited him for sparking her love for music at an early age.
“My dad had a little studio in Dollis Hill and he used to bring me there sometimes when he was working. He put me on the mic at the age of five. I was singing Little Mermaid. I just knew there was nothing else I felt passionate about.”
Tulisa has previously opened up about the challenges of her childhood after Plato left the family when she was just nine years old.
By age 11, she had become the primary carer for her mother, Anne Byrne, who was later diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder – a combination of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
“My dad left home and it triggered one of her episodes,” she recalled.
“One minute she’d look all mournful as if someone had died, the next she’d be angry and aggressive, smashing cupboards and shouting. Inevitably, she went into hospital again and I stayed with my mum’s older sister, Louise.”