‘Ta-rah Chuck’ – pop star and TV legend Cilla dies in Spain

She was also a bridesmaid at Cilla’s wedding to Bobby Willis in 1969. I first met her when I was a guest on one of her early TV shows, I think it was called Cilla… “British to her very core”.

Bruce Forsyth said he could not believe that Black had died aged 72 as he still thought of her as a “kid”.

Black’s publicist confirmed her death in a brief statement.

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney said: “She was a lovely girl who infected everyone with her great spirit”.

“She will always be with me”.

“Some people will always be with us and Cilla is one of those people”, he said.

Lulu tweets, “Sooo sad to hear that Cilla has died”. “She had a fine distinctive voice and was always a bit of a laugh”. I am deeply sorry for her family’s loss. Cilla was a dear and loyal friend and I will miss her terribly.

She added: “I needn’t have anxious because Sheridan is absolutely terrific”.

Journalist and TV presenter Piers Morgan wrote “she was a star for my entire life and a trailblazer for so many women in show business”.