An autopsy is due to take place tomorrow in the provincial capital Malaga.
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Cilla Black: A showbiz icon of the Beatles era.
After her tragic death at the age of just 72, we have taken a look back at her journey from Scotland Road in Liverpool to TV screens across the nation.
Born Priscilla White in 1943, Cilla began her career as a singer.
And as soon as I heard the new I could hear Anyone Who Had A Heart playing through in my mind.
Cilla was managed by The Beatles’ manager Bobby Willis with the late Black becoming quite close to the band over the decades.
Singer Cliff Richard said: “Some people will always be with us and Cilla is one of those people”.
Black had been photographed by a fan at Gatwick Airport on Friday, shortly before she flew to Spain. The dispute was resolved when it was decided the two would perform it as a duet, though even then, reported by Black, Ringo wouldn’t change the position of his mic on the drums and she had to bend over the kit to sing it with him.
A quick-thinking neighbour saved the stars property by dashing out in his pyjamas and a hose after spotting the bush around the property had caught light.
Black released her first single in 1963 and the following year had two Number One hits, “You’re My World” and “Anyone Who Had a Heart“.
Last year she spoke to the Mirror about growing older, saying: “Seventy-five is a good age to go”.
Cilla – a long term friend of fellow TV presenter Paul O’Grady and other LGBT stars – had previously spoken of her iconic status within the gay community.
She could not believe the career she had, and admitted: “My life’s been a joke really”. I thought she was well.
She tweeted: “I hope you are now at peace lovely lady”.
“She had a huge, huge talent once she got her confidence”.
And comedian Jimmy Tarbuck, who had been friends with Cilla for more than half a century, described the news as “staggering”. It was only at 3am she realised she was going into early labour. But she was a star. She is survived by their three sons.
‘We had a week together in Barbados at the beginning of the year and I saw her on my birthday.
She had one of the biggest-selling singles ever, coined the catchphrase “A lorra lorra laughs” and had her life story turned into an award-winning drama. Her debut single was “Love to be Loved”, written by Lennon and Paul McCartney; a 1964 version of the Beatles’ “It’s For You” found McCartney serving as a sideman on piano. “And I’ll miss her”.
Sheridan Smith, who played Cilla Black in a biopic about her life last year, has paid an emotional tribute to the entertainment legend, following the news of her death.
Tony Hall, director-general of the BBC, said: “Cilla Black was a wonderful artist and talented entertainer who brought joy to millions”.
He wrote: “Rip Cilla Black!!”
Legendary British entertainer Cilla Black has died.
But clearly having seen Katie’s controversial comments, he was quick to call her out on them.
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“She was upside down and I had hold of her by her ankles”, he says.
