Heartbreak for Tulisa as her famous dad dies – leaving cousin Dappy devastated

The Irish Sun

01-07-2025

Renowned musician Plato Contostavlos has passed away.
The keyboard player, who went by the name of Steve, was the father of N-Dubz singer Tulisa.
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Tulisa has been left heartbroken following the death of father Plato Contostavlos
Credit: Barcroft Media
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She posted an emotional tribute on her Instagram page, sharing a childhood snap
Credit: Instagram
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Plato Contostavlos was a big source of inspiration to N-Dubz and was in the band Mungo Jerry
Credit: Doug Seeburg - The Sun
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Tulisa with her bandmates - cousin Dappy and Fazer
Credit: Getty
The Young hitmaker has now taken to her Instagram page to post an emotional tribute.
She shared a childhood image showing her snuggling with her dad and the words: "Love you pops, rest in peace.
"Forever my father's daughter."
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as he posted a video of himself with his uncle, alongside a white dove.
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Speaking last year about her father, she said on Paul Brunson's podcast We Need To Talk: '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."
Plato was well loved within the music scene during the 1970s, as part of the blues band Mungo Jerry.
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The band gained massive success after landing the Number 1 hit In The Summertime in 1970, with Pluto on the keyboard.
Other hits from the band include Lady Rose and Alright, Alright, Alright.
Plato contributed his incredible skills to the group while his brother Byron - who is Tulisa's uncle and
Tulisa's dad reportedly was in the band in its early days with Byron - who tragically passed in the early days of N-Dubz.
Speaking about her dad's influence on her career, she said in the past: "My dad had a little studio in Dollis Hill and he used to bring me there sometimes when he was working.
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"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."
The star has told in the past how her dad left her mum, Anne Byrne, and her when she was nine years old.
Tulisa became her mum's primary carer at the tender age of 11.
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Dappy shared a video of himself fishing with his uncle Steve
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Tulisa with her dad at Christmas one year
Credit: MrPaparazzi.com
Anne was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in 2007, a combination of bipolar and schizophrenia.
When Plato left home Tulisa started staying at her aunt's house more often.
She said in the past: "My dad left home and it triggered one of her episodes.
"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."
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The singer is being supported by her cousin Dappy
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