http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebri ... ed-72.htmlCilla Black dies, aged 72
Former singer and TV presenter Cilla Black dies at her Spanish home, aged 72 Cilla Black has died at her Spanish home, local police have confirmed.
The much-loved TV star and singer is believed to have died of natural causes after being found at her home in Marbella.
“I can confirm the death of British national Priscilla White, aged 72,” police said.
Cilla Black, the presenter's stage name, was born Priscilla Maria Veronica White on May 27, 1943.
A Spanish police officer added: “We are still awaiting autopsy results but everything at this stage is pointing towards her death being the result of natural causes.”
The Liverpoon-born star enjoyed her first taste of fame at the city's Cavern Club, where she performed alongside acts including The Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers.
She went on to release 14 albums but later established herself as a television personality, presenting hit shows including Surprise Surprise and Blind Date.
In 1968, she became the first woman to have her own prime-time chat show on BBC One.
In more recent years, despite suffering from arthritis and deafness, she remained in the public eye. Her rise to stardom was recently told in award-winning three-part drama, Cilla, starring Sheridan Smith.
Most of the shutters were down at the entertainer’s house near Marbella on Sunday morning and there was no answer on the door.
However, a light outside the property was on, a grey Seat Ibiza car was parked outside and the back patio doors appeared to be open.
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
A Spanish man who identified himself as a police officer was stood outside the front of the property talking on the phone before driving off in a Seat Alhambra car around midday local time.
The man, who refused at first to say who he was, declined to comment on the health of the property's occupant.
An immediate neighbour added: “I don’t really know who lives next door. The wall between my house and theirs is very high and I don’t know anything.”
In a recent interview, the musician and TV star said she did not want to live beyond the age of 75.
"Seventy-five is a good age to go if things start to drop off," Cilla said.
"I don't want to linger. I don't want to be a burden on anybody. I know 75 is only four years away, but I take each day as I find it."
