UK pays tribute to Cilla Black

The 72-year-old queen of song and screen – who suffered from hearing problems and arthritis – reportedly died on Sunday after flying to Spain with her son Robert. “She willed herself to die”. Everybody was like “Cilla’s here” and she said “tell everyone the story of how you took the photographs”, and then she heard about the other stuff I have taken.

“She will be sorely missed”.

Joe said: “Like everyone else, I am very shocked and will miss Cilla a great deal”.

Together with her dependable good cheer and tireless work ethic, Black was a TV pure.

At this time the cause of her death remains unknown.

She went on to release 14 albums.

“Her mother was ill for two years and she had the same complaint and she said she was never going to linger like that”.

Spanish police sources maintain her death was not suspicious but that the post-mortem results were “inconclusive”. Spanish police have said they believe Black died of natural causes, but this is yet to be confirmed. Cilla didn’t drive so I happily became her chauffeur, but refused to wear the cap!

Black’s debut single, Love of the Loved, written for her by Lennon and McCartney, was a relative failure.

“She was one of those people who aren’t spoilt by their fame”. She was the most remarkable woman, a true legend.

The band championed Black and introduced her to their manager Brian Epstein, who signed her.

A solitary bouquet of flowers, on the gate of #CillaBlack’s villa in Spain. So successful was her television career, she went on to became the most popular presenter on television.

Cilla was found dead around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 2 after her son broke down the door of her bedroom.

“It is with deep sorrow that I confirm today the passi g of singer and TV personality Cilla Black”, said Nick Fiveash, Black’s publicist.

“She had a fine distinctive voice and was always a bit of a laugh”, former Beatle Paul McCartney said in a statement obtained by the AP. She was so kind and helpful to me, it was a privilege to play her.

Ms Robertson said the TV drama-documentary Cilla that aired last year brought up a lot of things that she didn’t previously know.

2001: She performed as the ageing stripper from the musical Gypsy at the Royal Variety Performance, with pals Paul O’Grady and Barbara Windsor.

“And as always she looked immaculate”.

“She was a very nice person, extremely down to earth”.