Tara Palmer-Tomkinson denies drug use

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson has said that she wants people to see her as more than "just some party girl".

The socialite was responding to speculation that she had revisited her past experience of drug-using, after being photographed bleary-eyed with blood on her arm on a night out last month.

"When I saw those pictures, I knew what everyone would be thinking and it broke my heart," Palmer-Tomkinson told the new issue ofCloser magazine, on sale now. "Yes, it looked like I was on drugs, but I've been clean for years.

"After I went to rehab, I signed a statement agreeing to do a random blood test every year and I never failed one once. That doesn't stop me enjoying the odd glass of wine though!"

The 39-year-old continued: "I really want to prove to people that I'm not just some party girl - I want to achieve something. I've realised that having money doesn't make you happy. It's about having a healthy mind and soul.

"Fame doesn't mean anything. I've ditched all the old hangers-on who were a bad influence on me and now I surround myself with people who don't see drugs as a priority. If anyone takes drugs in front of me, I'm never tempted to join in."

> Tara Palmer-Tomkinson 'worries family with partying'
> Tara Palmer-Tomkinson 'getting new nose'