Spanish police are reportedly investigating whether Cilla Black died after a fall at her Costa del Sol villa, as tributes to the late singer and TV presenter continue to pour in.
Advertisement
According to the Mirror, shortly after Cilla was found dead, a spokesperson for the Spanish police told reporters, “I can confirm the death of British National Priscilla White, aged 72″.
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). I am deeply sorry for her family’s loss.
Black is said to have died overnight on Saturday after flying to Spain with her son Robert. “But with what we know up until now, we can say that there is no suggestion she suffered any kind of violence”.
“The first time I met her she was an acquaintance and the second time it was ‘Hello Col, how are you?'”.
“I was due to visit her at her home in Spain this week…”
“Such a shock to hear about Cilla’s passing”, said Sir Paul McCartney, who wrote “Love of the Loved“, Black’s debut single, with John Lennon.
In its citation, BAFTA said she had hosted more than 500 television shows and made about 400 guest appearances on others, regularly drawing audiences of 18 million people.
“She just said, ‘Look at me, I’m a wreck.’ I was trying to cheer her up”. Her publicist Nick Fiveash confirmed her death yesterday.
Black was legendary in British pop culture, spending over 50 years in the entertainment business as a singer and later television presenter.
Black’s manager and husband of 30 years, Bobby Willis, died in 1999.
“She was a good friend, we will all miss her. Peace to Cilla, peace and love to the family, R&B”.
“She was a very special person”, he added, “and I have lost a very wonderful friend, I will miss her dearly”. Her 1964 hits “Anyone Who Had a Heart” and “You’re My World” topped the charts in Britain.
However, love was not in the air for the pair as before she even reached her destination her date had given his phone number to another passenger on the flight.
2005: Her autobiography What’s It All About? became a best-seller.
Advertisement
Describing her popular appeal he explained: “She always felt like a friend in your living room when she was on TV”.
