Cilla Black dead: Legendary TV presenter and singing star dies aged 72 at her Spanish holiday home

The iconic showbiz star, whose impressive career spanned over 50 years and enjoyed musical hits as well as shows Blind Date and Surprise Surprise, has passed away

Surprise Surprise and Blind Date star Cilla Black has died aged 72, it was announced today.
Showbiz legend Cilla, who also had two number one singles at the start of a career stretching over 50 years, died in Spain.
A Spanish police spokeswoman confirmed today that Cilla had died at her Spanish home in Estepona on the Costa del Sol.
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.”

Express Newspapers

Cilla with Patti Boyd, George Harrison and Brian Epstein

Mirrorpix

Cilla Black in red in her Sixties musical heyday - her TV career would later soar

Police sources said they thought the death had occurred overnight and they believed Cilla, who suffered from hearing problems and arthritis, had jetted to Spain a few days ago with one of her three sons.
An autopsy is due to take place tomorrow in the provincial capital Malaga.
"It is with deep sorrow that I confirm today the passing of singer & 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," a representative for Cilla said in a statement.
Cillla's eldest son and manager Robert was thought to be staying at another house nearby.
A pal said: "He is obviously very upset at what happened and does not want to talk publicly about it at the moment."
A family friend said Cilla's other two sons, Ben and Jack, were told the sad news last night and had made arrangements to fly to Spain.

Solarpix

The villa belonging to Cilla Black near Marbella where the star has died aged 72

Cilla Black poses with her sons (L to R) Ben Willis, Robert Willis and Jack Willis in May 2013

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.
They spent many happy hours around the Costa Del Sol property's swimming pool and she also brought friends Cliff Richard, Paul O'Grady and Dale Winton.



She often flew to Spain in the summer months but also had homes in London, Buckinghamshire and Barbados.
The villa where it happened - in a quiet cul-de-sac just west of Marbella - nearly went up in flames last summer after a careless youngster discarded a cigarette under her hedge.
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.

Aintree Grand National Day. Cilla Black makes an appearance at Aintree with friend Cliff Richard, May 2014

DAVID MAGNUS/SCOPEFEATURES

Cilla's boys Bobby, Robert and Ben celebrate the birth of third son Jack in 1980

The Liverpudlian star was born Priscilla Maria Veronica White on May 27 1943.
She was championed by The Beatles and enjoyed eleven top ten hits including chart-toppers Anyone Who Had a Heart and You're My World.
Last year she spoke to the Mirror about growing older, saying: “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.”

Rex

Paul O'Grady with close pal Cilla Black

PA

Cilla Black and Jimmy Tarbuck during the inaugural International Scouse Day in 2000

Her close pal, fellow Merseyside entertainer Paul O'Grady, said: “We’ve been friends for nearly 20 years. She’s like my sister.
“Apart from her hearing she was alright. I thought she was well. I kept telling her she’d outlive us all. She’s such a strong lady.
"It was difficult because she couldn’t hear so it became texting but then we’d manage to get her.”