Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Updated: 15.58
CILLA BLACK HAS died at her Spanish home, police have confirmed.
The popular TV host and singer is believed to have died of natural causes. She was 72.
A Spanish police officer told the Telegraph authorities are still “awaiting autopsy results but everything at this stage is pointing towards her death being the result of natural causes”.
Black was born ion 27 May 1943. Her real name was Priscilla Maria Veronica White.
Police sources told the Telegraph they thought her death had occurred overnight.
They believe Black, who suffered from hearing problems and arthritis, had flown to Marbella a few days ago with one of her three sons.
Tributes have been flooding in for the star, with Ronan Keating calling her “a true showbiz legend”. Her friend Joan Collins said Black was “a resplendent and rare talent”.
The British Prime Minister David Cameron said Cilla was “a huge talent who made a significant contribution to public life in Britain”.
Black was a popular singer before turning her hand to TV presenting.
She hosted Blind Date on ITV from 1985-2003 and Surprise Surprise from 1984-2001.
Last year, Sheridan Smith played the actress in a TV series about her early life.
In a brief statement her publicist Nick Fiveash said: “It is with deep sorrow that I confirm today the passing of singer and TV personality Cilla Black.
Details of her death will be announced following the coroner’s report. Her family have asked for their privacy to be respected at this time.
In an interview with the Mirror last year, the entertainer said:
Seventy five is a good age to go. If things are starting to drop off – like the hearing – and I’ve got twinges in the morning, I do think that.
Black was married for 30 years to her manager Bobby Willis until he died in 1999 of lung cancer.
She leaves three sons, Robert, Ben and Jack, and two grandchildren.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Captain Scarlet was some of the best children’s entertainment ever made. It wiped the floor with Bosco.
RIP m’lady
Home Parker! :’(
Thunderbirds are not Go anymore.
Hard to believe today how many of us watched these puppets after school on UTV kids TV in the 60s and 70s. They were kind of wooden but it worked!
I was terrified of those things
Sad news she will b sadly missed
More and more of my childhood and teen entertainers gone …….. Jeez, I’m feeling old!
Home Parker! :’(
It was great with the visible strings, but when they blanked them out then it was too CGI for me
Didn’t she also create Jack Chambers?
From that first photo, I’ll have the sex scene from Team America in my head all day.
Rip. Still remember the first time I saw joe90. Memories
Not to forget UFO and Space 1999 – Leading lights in live action SCIFI
have your say