Tributes as entertainer Cilla Black dies age 72
The former pop star and television presenter, who lived in Estepona on the Costa del Sol, was 72.
Black — who suffered from hearing problems and arthritis — reportedly died overnight after flying to Spain with her son Robert.
Friend and fellow presenter Christopher Biggins, who starred alongside Cilla in Surprise! Surprise!, described Black as a “national treasure” adding that she will “always be with me”.
“It’s devastating news, really devastating,” he said.
“She was a wonderful friend. She was someone who was a life force, she loved to laugh and loved to enjoy herself.
“She will always be with me. She was a national treasure.”
Michael Grade, former executive chairman of ITV, said a once nervous Cilla soon gained a natural confidence in front of the cameras and went on to become an “enduring family favourite”.
“A natural, natural performer of the highest quality,” he told Sky News.
“One of the all time greats in showbiz. She always felt like a friend in your living room when she was on TV. A magical lady.
“She had a huge, huge talent once she got her confidence. She became a national favourite, an enduring family favourite.”
Several national newspapers quoted a police spokeswoman as saying: “We are still awaiting autopsy results but everything at this stage is pointing towards her death being the result of natural causes.”
Black transformed herself from a successful singer in the 1960s to becoming a television favourite fronting shows such as Blind Date and Surprise! Surprise!
An associate of The Beatles and their manager Brian Epstein in the early 1960s, she scored two number ones in 1964 — Anyone Who Had A Heart and You’re My World — as well as enjoying many other hits, before concentrating on TV.
Born as Priscilla Maria Veronica White in Liverpool, she went on to host more than 500 editions of her programmes and was the first woman to have her own prime-time chat show on BBC1.
Actress Joan Collins has led tributes to Cilla Black, expressing her sadness on Twitter: “I am so sad and shocked by news about my good friend Cilla. She was a resplendent and rare talent. RIP.”
I am so sad and shocked by news about my good friend Cilla. She was a resplendent and rare talent. RIP #cillablack http://t.co/wsK6RtIszI
— Joan Collins (@Joancollinsdbe) August 2, 2015
Piers Morgan, who interviewed Black on his ITV show Life Stories, wrote: “RIP Cilla Black. Very very sad news.”
"On my gravestone, I want 'Here lies the singer,' not 'Here lies the T.V. presenter’.” - Cilla Black.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 2, 2015
This is why:https://t.co/0s8ey8akoT
TV personality Carol Vorderman said she was “deeply shocked” to learn of Black’s death: “I hope you are now at peace lovely lady. Thank you for the lunches and the laughs x,” she tweeted.
Deeply shocked to learn that Cilla has passed away. I hope you are now at peace lovely lady. Thank you for the lunches and the laughs x
— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) August 2, 2015
Surprise! Surprise! presenter Holly Willoughby posted a photo of her and Black together on the show, writing: “This photo is even more special to me now...”
This photo is even more special to me now... pic.twitter.com/nmUcArmJjO
— Holly Willoughby (@hollywills) August 2, 2015
Before that, she wrote a touching message saying: “So so sad to hear the news that we have lost one of my heroes, Cilla you were one incredible lady! Sending all my love to her family. X.”
So so sad to hear the news that we have lost one of my heroes, Cilla you were one incredible lady! Sending all my love to her family. X
— Holly Willoughby (@hollywills) August 2, 2015
Gabby Logan called Black the “complete entertainer/host in an era when everyone watched TV. She was a trail blazer. RIP Cilla.”
Cilla Black was the complete entertainer/host in an era when everyone watched TV. She was a trail blazer. RIP Cilla.
— Gabby Logan (@GabbyLogan) August 2, 2015
