Popular singer and TV presenter Cilla Black has died at her home in Estepona, southern Spain. She was 72.
Tributes have been flooding in for the well-loved star, who enjoyed a long and illustrious career in the spotlight. Born Priscilla White in Liverpool in 1943, the gorgeous performer was discovered by The Beatles while working as a cloakroom attendant at The Cavern. Determined to make it as a singer, she would take to the stage at the club to give impromptu performances, where she was spotted by the boy band and soon signed by a promoter. She adopted her stage name somewhat accidentally, when the local newspaper mistakenly referred to her as Cilla Black and she decided that she preferred it to her own.
Cilla had her first No. 1 hits in 1964, with ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’ and ‘You’re My World’. She worked tirelessly throughout the 60s, achieving unprecedented success. Her version of ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’ was the biggest selling single by a female artist in the decade. The talented pop star had eleven Top Ten hits on the British charts between 1964 and 1971.
WATCH: Cilla Black performs ‘You’re My World’
Along with her successful musical career, she was also a charismatic TV presenter, hosting hit entertainment shows such as Blind Date and Surprise Surprise.
In 2013, she celebrated 50 years in show business, with a one-off special on ITV called The One & Only Cilla Black, hosted by Paul O’Grady.
WATCH: A clip from The One & Only Cilla Black
Cilla had four children with her husband and manager Bobby Willis. The pair were married at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Woolton. She is survived by her three sons, Robert, Ben and Jack. Her daughter, Ellen, tragically passed away two hours after her premature birth.
WATCH: Cilla Black weds Bobby Willis
Tributes have been flooding in for the popular entertainer.
Paul McCartney released a touching statement on social media: “Such a shock about Cilla’s passing. She was a lovely girl who infected everyone with her great spirit. From first meeting her as a cloakroom girl at The Cavern in Liverpool, to seeing her many times since, she always had a fun loving dignity that made her a great pleasure to be around. She had a fine distinctive voice and was always a bit of a laugh. It was a privilege to know and love her.”
Joan Collins also expressed her sadness at Cilla’s passing: “I am so sad and shocked by news about my good friend Cilla. She was a resplendent and rare talent. RIP.”
