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.
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