Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr pay tribute to Cilla Black
Paul McCartney spoke warmly of the Liverpool star he met when she was a cloakroom girl at The Cavern
BY ELEANOR BARLOW
2 AUGUST 2015
Ringo Starr and Cilla Black rehearsing at BBC TV Theatre, Shepherd's Bush Green, London, 5 February 1968, for Ringo's first solo appearance on Black's TV variety show
Beatles star Paul McCartney said it was “a privilege to know and love” Cilla Black.
The singer paid tribute to the Scottie Road star on his Twitter page, after news of her death earlier today.
He said: “Such a shock to hear about Cilla’s passing.
“She was a lovely girl who infected everyone with her great spirit.
“From first meeting her as a cloakroom girl at The Cavern in Liverpool, to seeing her many times since, she always had a fun loving dignity that made her a great pleasure to be around.
“She had a fine distinctive voice and was always a bit of a laugh.
“It was a privilege to know and love her.”
Paul McCartney
Paul on Cilla Black
10:07 - 2 ago. 2015
Fellow Beatle Ringo Starr was also among the celebrities to pay tribute to the Blind Date presenter today.
He said: “She was a good friend, we will all miss her.”
Ringo Starr
@ringostarrmusic
I just heard the news Cilla black has left us she was a good friend we will all miss her peace to Cilla peace and love to the family R&B xxxwww.bbc.com
Tributes to 'huge talent' Cilla Black
From the section Entertainment & Arts
3 Aug 2015
Tributes have been paid to singer and TV star Cilla Black as a post-mortem examination is due to take place later.
The performer, whose showbusiness career spanned 50 years, died at her home in Spain aged 72 on Saturday.
Spanish police have said they believe Black died of natural causes, but this is yet to be confirmed.
Prime Minister David Cameron led tributes, calling Black "a huge talent who made a significant contribution to public life".
On Sunday, Spanish police said a woman named Priscilla White - Black's real name - had died in Estepona on the Costa del Sol, where the star had a home. Her agent Nick Fiveash confirmed the news.
The BBC's Madrid correspondent Tom Burridge said the results of the post-mortem examination may not be officially published by the Spanish authorities for several days or possibly weeks.
Tributes have been paid by her friends from the entertainment world to the 1960s singing star who went on to become a popular TV personality on such shows as Blind Date and Surprise Surprise.
'National treasure'
"Such a shock to hear about Cilla's passing," said Sir Paul McCartney. "She was a lovely girl who infected everyone with her great spirit.
"From first meeting her as a cloakroom girl at the Cavern in Liverpool, to seeing her many times since, she always had a fun-loving dignity that made her a great pleasure to be around."
Sir Bruce Forsyth said Black would be "sadly missed", while presenter Christopher Biggins described her as a "national treasure".
Songwriter Burt Bacharach, who worked with Black, said: "It will always be a most special memory for me of recording her on Alfie in Abbey Road Studios in 1965."
Other tributes have come from comedian Jimmy Tarbuck, who said she had "warmth in bundles", and Ringo Starr, who remembered her as "a good friend".
Des O'Connor called her "a very special lady", while broadcaster Gloria Hunniford - who said she had seen Black two weeks ago at a friend's barbecue - called her "a true icon".
Dale Winton said Black had been "a dear and close friend" and "the most loyal person", as well as a "true 'star' and genuine national icon".
Broadcaster Noel Edmonds told BBC Radio 5 live that Black had "captured the hearts of the British people" because "she was our Cilla - there were no airs and graces".
"I am so sad and shocked by news about my good friend Cilla," tweeted Dame Joan Collins. "She was a resplendent and rare talent."
Black, pictured with son Robert last year, had a home on the Costa del Sol
Born Priscilla White in Liverpool, Black changed her name to launch a singing career with hits such as Anyone Who Had a Heart and You're My World.
Her career focus shifted to television in 1968, when she was given her own BBC One primetime series, and she went on to host a number of shows for ITV.
Black's journey to stardom began at Liverpool's famous Cavern Club, where she initially worked as a part-time cloakroom attendant.
Cilla Black performing Anyone Who Had a Heart in 1969
It was there she met her husband-to-be Bobby Willis and went on to perform alongside such acts as The Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers.
She was soon brought to the attention of manager Brian Epstein and released her first single, Love of the Loved, in September 1963.
The following year she released the ballads You're My World and Anyone Who Had a Heart, both of which went to number one.
Cilla's hits in music and on television
| UK Top 10 Singles | UK TV Shows |
|---|---|
| Anyone Who Had a Heart (1964) | Cilla (1968-1976) |
| You're My World (1964) | Cilla's Comedy Six (1975) |
| It's For You (1964) | Cilla's World Of Comedy (1976) |
| You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (1965) | Surprise Surprise (1984-2001) |
| Love's Just a Broken Heart (1966) | Blind Date (1985-2003) |
| Alfie (1966) | Soapstar Superstar (as a judge)(2006) |
| Don't Answer Me (1966) | Loose Women (occasional panellist)(2008-2014) |
| Step Inside Love (1968) | |
| Surround Yourself with Sorrow (1969) | |
| Conversations (1969) | |
| Something Tells Me (Something is Gonna Happen Tonight), (1971) |
She and Willis wed in 1969 and remained married until his death in 1999 at the age of 57.
The couple had three sons, one of whom, Robert, succeeded his father as her manager.
Last year Black received honours from Bafta and the Royal Television Society in recognition of her lengthy career.
A recent ITV drama series about her early years saw her portrayed by the actress Sheridan Smith.
The Cavern Club in Liverpool paid its own tribute with a sign announcing the death of its "famous cloak room girl".
Sign outside the Cavern Club in Liverpool
Black had been photographed by a fan at Gatwick Airport on Friday, shortly before she flew to Spain.
Amy Kelly said: "She looked so glamorous but frail. Everyone was talking about her but no -ne was asking for pictures.
"I said all of my family loved her and took a picture with her. She gave me a massive smile. She was so lovely."
Amy Kelly took this picture of herself with Cilla Black on Friday
Speaking to the BBC last year, Black described herself as "a lady of leisure" who was "living disgracefully" in semi-retirement.
"I'm going to enjoy myself," she told entertainment reporter Natalie Jamieson. "If it be in television then so be it, but I've had my time."
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