Cilla Black dies aged 72: Tributes flood in following the death of 'national treasure'

Cilla Black has died aged 72

TRIBUTES have been pouring in for 'national treasure' Cilla Black, after she died at her home in Spain aged 72 last night.

It is understood her son Robert, who is also her agent, was the son who was holidaying with her in Spain at the time of her death.

The star, who enjoyed a career spanning 50 years, passed away of "natural causes".

A Spanish police spokesman confirmed the news today.

She said: "I can confirm the death of British national Priscilla White, aged 72."

"We are still awaiting autopsy results but everything at this stage is pointing towards her death being the result of natural causes."

Cilla began her career in the sixties, when she impressed John Lennon at the Cavern Club

 

Cilla was married to her manager Bobby Willis for 30 years

Cilla's career spanned over fifty years

The Liverpudlian famously fronted ITV shows Blind Date and Surprise Surprise

The star fronted ITV shows Surprise Surprise and Blind Date

Sheridan Smith played the Liverpudlian in the 2014 biopic 'Cilla'

 Cilla was married for 30 years to her manager Bobby Willis until he died in 1999 of lung cancer, aged just 57, leaving her bereft.

She leaves three sons, Robert, Ben and Jack, as well as two grandchildren.

Cilla's death shocked the nation and a 'R.I.P Cilla Black Tribute Page' on Facebook was quickly set up for the public to pay their respects.

Many celebrities and public figures have also paid tribute to the singer, including Prime Minister David Cameron, who said: "Cilla Black was a huge talent who made a significant contribution to public life in Britain. My thoughts are with her family."

Cilla's good friend singer Sir Cliff Richard said he will miss his "outrageous" friend dearly.
"Some people will always be with us and Cilla is one of those people," he said.
"I will always think of her as outrageous, funny, incredibly gifted but above all full of heart.
"She was a very special person, and I have lost a very wonderful friend, I will miss her dearly. God bless her."

Fellow TV presenter and friend Paul O'Grady struggled to believe the news.
"Please tell me this isn't true? We've been friends for nearly 20 years. She's like my sister," he told the Liverpool Echo.
"Apart from her hearing she was all right. We had a week together in Barbados at the beginning of the year and I saw her on my birthday.
 "I thought she was well. I can't believe it to tell you the truth."
Throughout the day more tributes flooded in on social media.
Family Fortunes presenter and Coronation Street star Les Dennis said in a series of tweets he felt like "the nation has lost a family member".

"Just heard one of THE brightest stars in the show biz firmament, Our Cilla, has faded. The sky is far less bright without you Tara Chuck x," he wrote.
"All our love goes to her family so shocked and saddened for you xx."
Former politician turned TV star Edwina Currie said she was "sad to see this - great lady".
Carol Vorderman wrote: "Deeply shocked to learn that Cilla has passed away," she tweeted. "I hope you are now at peace lovely lady. Thank you for the lunches and the laughs."
"I am so sad and shocked by news about my good friend Cilla. She was a resplendent and rare talent. RIP," said Joan Collins.
Ronan Keating added: "Saddened to hear about the passing of Cilla Black. A true showbiz legend.

Ronan Keating added: "Saddened to hear about the passing of Cilla Black. A true showbiz legend.

 

Cilla was born Priscilla Maria Veronica White in Liverpool on May 27 1943 to John Patrick White and Priscilla Blythen.

Determined to become an entertainer from an early age, Cilla got a part-time job as a cloakroom attendant at Liverpool's famous Cavern Club, where she rubbed shoulders with The Beatles.

Today the club wrote on Twitter: "So sad to hear news of #CillaBlack passing. The Liverpool lass who started in the Cavern cloakroom and became a #Legend Rest in peace."

Cilla's impromptu performances at the iconic venue impressed The Fab Four and John Lennon persuaded their manager Brian Epstein, to audition Cilla. 

Her first audition was a failure, partly because of nerves, and partly because the Beatles (who supported her) played the songs in their vocal key rather than re-pitching them for Black's voice.

In her autobiography What's It All About? she wrote: "The music was not in my key and any adjustments that the boys were now trying to make were too late to save me. My voice sounded awful. Destroyed—and wanting to die—I struggled on to the end."

 

In 1963, Brian did sign Cilla as his only female client. 

A year later, the red-head found chart fame with the Burt Bacharach hit "Anyone Who Had a Heart".

The single spent three weeks at number one in the UK charts and sold over a million copies worldwide. 

Cilla's success was quickly replicated with "You're My World", "It's for You" and  "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'".

Though her success in the States was limited, Cilla appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and Elvis Presley famously had a copy of "You're My World" on his jukebox at Graceland.

Cilla was steered into television by Epstein in 1968, and her eponymous BBC variety show commanded staggering audiences of 22 million.

She later presented ITV dating show Blind Date from 1985 until 2003, and hosted Surprise Surprise from 1984 to 1999.

 

Last year, Cilla's early career and romance with Bobby was explored in a three part ITV drama, in which she was portrayed by Sheridan Smith – a perfomance which won Cilla's approval. 

"Sheridan is absolutely terrific. I can’t fault her," she said, before adding "but God knows how she sang so well with those false teeth in."

Cilla wasn't the only one to enjoy Sheridan's heart-felt performance and in 2015 she took home the TV BAFTA for Best Drama Performance. 

By coincidence, the full biopic was shown on ITV Encore last night.