Cilla Black was one of the most iconic British celebrities ever to grace our airwaves and screens.
Born in Liverpool on May 27 1943, the legend started out as a singer in 1963 before going on to enjoy an incredible career of over 50 years in showbiz – where she received an OBE in 1997 for her services to entertainment.
In the later years of her career, she became a famous TV presenter, hosting hit shows like Blind Date, Surprise Surprise and The Moment of Truth.
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After securing multiple number one singles during her career, she also cemented her status as a beloved TV personality amid appearances on ITV’s Loose Women.
(Image: submitted picture)
Sadly, Cilla passed away on August 1 2015 at the age of 72 – after being found dead by her eldest son Robert on the terrace of her luxury Spanish holiday home in the Costa del Sol, Spain.
Death prediction
(Image: Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)
A haunting BAFTAs speech in 2014 saw Cilla predict her own death as she joked with the crowd while discussing Sheridan Smith’s role in her life documentary: “Maybe I should die next year”.
She was honoured with the BAFTA Special award in 2014 and got a standing ovation as she stepped up to accept it from friend Paul O’Grady.
(Image: Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)
At the time Cilla said: “My life is flashing before me. It’s a great honour, as is getting the BAFTA, that somebody in your own lifetime plays you.
“Sheridan Smith is a BAFTA-winning actress herself and I feel so honoured and so pleased. And Jeff Pope did the script for Philomena, so what more can you ask?
“Maybe I should die next year.”
Fall and stroke that caused death
(Image: Ken McKay/Shutterstock)
A sobering autopsy report confirmed that her cause of death had been a subarachnoid haemorrhage – a form of stroke caused by bleeding on the brain.
The stroke most likely resulted from a violent fall she had suffered on the terrace of her holiday home in Estopena, in which she fell after losing balance and was knocked unconscious.
The bleeding on the brain was believed to have been caused by a fatal head injury brought on by her fall when she fell backwards and hit her terrace wall, according to the Daily Mail.
(Image: Redferns)
However, the investigation also revealed that the singer spent up to five and a half hours lying alone and unconscious in the Spanish heat before she was discovered.
The bleak 10-page autopsy report added that Black had fallen between 12:30pm and 2:30pm and wasn’t discovered by her son Bobby until around 5:30pm.
Sadly, paramedics could do nothing to save her by the time they arrived at 6:10pm.
(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
It also emerged that the TV star had grown ‘increasingly frail’ prior to the accident and had suffered another fall at a friend’s house just days before her death.
An official statement from Black’s family at the time read: “It has just been confirmed by the judge and coroner in Spain the autopsy was conclusive – Cilla Black died of natural causes.”
This means that heatstroke is likely to have contributed to her death – following hours of her lying in the heat which was believed to have been up to 31C.
Star-studded funeral
(Image: Redferns)
Cilla’s funeral was held on 20 August 2015 at St Mary’s Church in Woolton, and the ceremony was host to her family and friends – including stars like Sir Tom Jones, Sir Cliff Richard and Carol Vorderman.
The mum had shared four children with her husband Bobby Willis – including three songs called Robert, Ben and Jack – and a daughter called Ellen who sadly passed way shortly after birth.
Cilla was married to her husband Robert Willis for over 30 years, after the two tied the knot on January 25 1969 in London.
Her three sons added some heartfelt words in their official statement following her death, which read: “We are devastated by the sad loss of our mother, but have been deeply touched by all the kind messages of support from her friends, fans, the public and media.
(Image: Daily Mirror)
“We would like to thank everyone, especially the people of Liverpool. The tributes and condolences have really helped us through these difficult times.”
“The Spanish authorities have now told us we are able to bring Mum home, which we hope to do as quickly as possible. We would also like to thank all those involved for their assistance with this matter. We respectfully request for our continued privacy to grieve.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
