Transitions - Cilla Black
 

Cilla Black, a blinding light of the early UK pop scene, has died. More to come.

British television personality and singer Cilla Black has died in Spain aged 72.

Police in the city of Malaga said Priscilla White (her real name) died in Estapona in the Costa del Sol region.

She appeared to have died from natural causes but this had not yet been confirmed by tests, police said.

Black's publicist confirmed her death in a brief statement.

"It is with deep sorrow that I confirm today the passing of singer and TV personality Cilla Black," Nick Fiveash said in an emailed statement.

"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."

Priscilla Maria Veronica White was born in Liverpool in 1943 and later changed her name after a newspaper mistakenly referred to her as Cilla Black.
Her instantly recognisable 'scouse' Liverpool accent won over generations of music fans and television viewers.

Black once worked as a cloakroom assistant in the city's Cavern Club — birthplace of The Beatles — before embarking on her own career as an entertainer.

Beatles members John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney wrote her first single, Love of the Loved, which launched a music career spanning several decades.

Her songs Anyone Who Had a Heart and You're My World were both number one hits in 1964.

She went on to release 14 albums.

Liverpool was a happening place then.

R.I.P. Cilla