FRIENDS, fans and colleagues from the rock music industry yesterday paid tribute to Robert Palmer, who died in Paris after suffering a heart attack.

Palmer, 54, who was on a short break in the city with his partner, Mary Ambrose, after recording a television show in London, will be best remembered for the stylish video for his hit Addicted to Love, which became part of pop folklore.

One of the most iconic images of the pop video age, it featured a louche, well-tailored rock singer backed by a group of impassive, pouting leggy models in short black dresses.

It also proved to be a pivotal moment in Palmer's career, as the song hit the top of the charts in 1985.

The singer - who also had success in the 1980s with songs such as Some Guys Have All The Luck and Simply Irresistible - was known for his sharp dress sense and laconic style as much as his music.

With his immaculate Italian suits and homes in the Bahamas and Switzerland, he cultivated a slick image which seemed to epitomise the glossy life styles of the 1980s jet set.

As well as solo hits, Palmer also enjoyed success with The Power Station, the rock group he formed with Duran Duran's John and Andy Taylor.

He continued to work throughout the 1990s and beyond, writing albums and touring, but in his later years enjoyed more success overseas than in Britain, and released his last album, Drive, in May.

A chain smoker and whisky fan, Palmer was a down-to-earth Yorkshireman, despite his cosmopolitan image. He was born in the town of Batley, and had spent his teenage years amid the faded east coast resort of Scarborough.

Mick Cater, his manager, said Palmer died suddenly at the luxury Warwick Hotel near the Champs-Elysees after a calm night of dinner and a film. The singer had received a clean bill of health from doctors in Switzerland just a few weeks ago.

Palmer's first major band was Vinegar Joe, which he fronted with Elkie Brooks, releasing three albums before launching his solo career.

Last night Brooks said she was ''devastated'' at the news of his death and had reconciled with Palmer after several ''differences of opinion'' over the years.

''Robert was a star - he was a great writer, a fabulous musician and a great singer,'' she said. ''And he was stunning looking.''

In a statement last night, Duran Duran said: ''We are absolutely devastated to hear of Robert's death.

''He was a very dear friend and a great artist. This is a tragic loss to the British music industry; our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and his partner.''

UB40, the pop reggae band, also collaborated with Palmer in 1990 on the Top 10 hit I'll Be Your Baby Tonight.

They said: ''We are shocked and saddened by the news of Robert's sudden death. Our condolences go to Mary and his family.''

Palmer had been recently promoting his latest album, Drive, a mixture of old R&B, Bahamian and Caribbean music, Delta blues and rock.

He had discussed those influences during an interview on Wednesday at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, for a TV programme called My Kinda People, a spokesman for Yorkshire Television said.

''As far as I'm aware he seemed in perfect health,'' he said. ''At the moment no decision has been made regarding the future of the programme as everyone's thoughts are with Robert's family and friends.''

Born Robert Allen Palmer, the son of a naval officer, Palmer did not see television or films until the age of 12. He became a fan of the music of Lena Horne and Nat King Cole at a young age. He divorced his wife, Sue, in 1993, and with her had two children.

He had lived for the past 16 years in Lugano, Switzerland, with his partner.

Life and times

Born Robert Allen Palmer in 1949. Within months, had moved with his family to Malta, where his father, a naval surveillance operative, was stationed with the British Admiralty.

At 12 he returned to Yorkshire and his family settled in the seaside town of Scarborough.

Aged 16, he joined a band called the Alan Brown Set when he was a graphic design student.

By 1970, he was fronting the jazz band Da Da, and then rock band Vinegar Joe.

He shared lead vocals with Elkie Brooks but they did not have a hit.

Island boss Chris Blackwell realised Palmer's potential and gave him a solo deal. He had a string of hits, begun by Every Kinda People in 1978.

As he tried to make it he moved first to New York and then to Nassau in the Bahamas with wife Sue.

They had two children, Jane and James, and split in 1993.

In 1986 his album Riptide produced the single Addicted To Love, which became his biggest hit and was a number one in the US where it earned him a Grammy.

He released his last album, Drive, in May.

He lived for the past 16 years in Lugano, Switzerland, a home he shared with his partner, Mary Ambrose.

The singer made regular trips across the border to Milan where he would buy his suits.