McCartney and O’Grady lead tributes to Cilla Black

Popular English singer, actress and TV presenter Cilla Black was found dead on August 1 in her private villa near the Costa del Sol resort in Marbella, Spain.

A spokesman for Spanish police said everything pointed to Black having died of natural causes.

Cilla’s musical career was overseen by the Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein, whom she met while working as a cloakroom assistant at Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club.

She became a British television fixture as the cheeky, cheery host of matchmaking game show “Blind Date” (between 1985 and 2003) and heartwarming-reunion program “Surprise Surprise” (between 1984 and 2001).

The Beatles legends Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have remembered their friend-cum-singer-TV presenter Cilla Black in emotional tributes.

Those who have paid their respects include Sir Bruce Forsyth, songwriter Burt Bacharach and Prime Minister David Cameron.

She said at the time: “Cilla was nice”.

Our thoughts are with Cilla’s family and friends at this time.

‘I’m going to enjoy myself, ‘ she revealed about her semi-retirement. Together they had three sons, Robert, Ben, and Jack, and a daughter, Ellen, who tragically died shortly after her birth in 1975.

Paying tribute to Cilla, he told reporters: “We’ve been friends for almost 20 years”. Her passing away is a particular shock because despite the aches and pains we all suffer, she was always so upbeat.

“As the theatre approaches its 5th birthday, staff and our customers will fondly reflect on the memories made during our opening season with one of the nation’s most-loved entertainers”.

Christopher Biggins, who starred alongside Black in Surprise Surprise, also described her as a “national treasure”, adding she will “always be with me”. “She was never a problem at all”.

Cilla became known for a number of hit songs including “Love of the Loved“, which was given to her by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. “I still love (late husband) Bobby” she said.

“And as always she looked immaculate”.

To celebrate the life of one of its biggest stars, ITV is also re-broadcasting the acclaimed drama Cilla, starring Sheridan Smith on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights at 10.40pm.