- Title: BRITAIN-CILLA BLACK/FUNERAL PREPS Fans gather for Cilla Black's funeral
- Date: 20th August 2015
- Summary: LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND (AUGUST 19, 2015) (REUTERS) MATTHEW STREET WITH SIGN OF THE NEW CAVERN CLUB SIGN OF MATTHEW STREET NEW CAVERN CLUB SIGN FLOWERS OUTSIDE THE NEW CAVERN CLUB STATUE FORMER BEATLES MEMBER JOHN LENNON VARIOUS OF FLOWERS POSTER READING (English): "OUR CILLA" WITH CILLA BLACK'S PICTURE LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND (AUGUST 20, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ROAD CLOSED NEAR CHURCH VARIOUS OF CILLA BLACK FANS, SECURITY AND MEDIA ON CHURCH ROAD OUTSIDE ST MARY'S CHURCH SOUNDBITE (English) FAN, CHRISTINE CARTER, FROM SOUTHPORT, SAYING: "So it was just - I don't think she's ever forgotten her Liverpool roots. So I think it's important that obviously Liverpool people will want to show their respect and just to show that she was loved and remembered. And I'm just so thrilled that she has come back here and not Buckinghamshire to be buried. You know I think it's a good thing for the city." CROWDS GATHERING BEHIND BARRICADE ON CHURCH ROAD OUTSIDE CHURCH SOUNDBITE (English) FAN, BRIAN MADDOCK, FROM CHESTER, SAYING: "She was down to earth and she just seemed to mix in with everybody. She had no airs and graces, Cilla. She was a people's person and I think she really did love Liverpool." FLOWERS OUTSIDE BEAUTICIAN SOUNDBITE (English) FAN, PAM MOORE, SAYING: "She's a part and parcel of Liverpool. Cilla is Liverpool, just like The Beatles are Liverpool. Cilla's Liverpool." EXTERIOR OF CAFE ROAST WHERE KAREN MOORE WORKS NEAR CHURCH SOUNDBITE (English) FAN, KAREN MOORE, SAYING: "For me, some people have called her, because she's moved away from Liverpool, but I don't think she's ever forgotten her roots, she still maintained her accent and she's a great ambassador for Liverpool, she's kept us on the map." NEWSPAPERS ON DISPLAY IN SUPERMARKET VARIOUS OF NEWSPAPER FRONT PAGES LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND (AUGUST 19, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR LIVERPOOL LIMESTREET STATION VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR TOWN HALL VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR LIVER BUILDING
- Embargoed: 4th September 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: United Kingdom
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAD0IBV2SSBGR8D927YTYCCWLTZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
Liverpool prepared to bid farewell to one of its biggest and best loved stars, Cilla Black, on Thursday (August 20).
Tributes poured in for the late British entertainer, who died of a stroke following a fall in her home in Spain on August 1.
Born in Liverpool in 1943, Black found fame as a pop star in the 1960s after singing in clubs - including the Cavern Club, birthplace of The Beatles. The original club closed in March 1973 due to construction work and re-opened in April 1984.
With a few hours to go before her funeral at St Mary's Church in Woolton, Liverpool fans gathered to pay their respects. Waiting in the cordoned off area on the road outside the church, fan Christine Carter came from Southport to see the procession. Originally from Liverpool herself, she explained what made Cilla so special: "I don't think she's ever forgotten her Liverpool roots. So I think it's important that obviously Liverpool people will want to show their respect and just to show that she was loved and remembered. And I'm just so thrilled that she has come back here and not Buckinghamshire to be buried. You know I think it's a good thing for the city."
Brian Maddock, from Chester, said it was Cilla's down to earth personality he loved: "She had no airs and graces, Cilla.She was a people's person and I think she really did love Liverpool."
That sentiment was echoed by Pam Moore, who runs a beauty salon nearby.
"She's a part and parcel of Liverpool. Cilla is Liverpool, just like The Beatles are Liverpool. Cilla's Liverpool," said Moore.
As well as family members, the funeral is being attended by several high profile guests - Sir Cliff Richard will sing 'Faithful One' at the start of the ceremony, which starts at 1200GMT. TV stars Paul O'Grady, Jimmy Tarbuck and Christopher Biggins will give readings, while The Beatles hit 'The Long and Winding Road' has been chosen as the recessional music to play at the end.
After signing to Parlophone records Black had a successful music career, including two UK number one singles. Known affectionately as 'Cilla' to generations of Britons, she went on to host a string of prime-time shows - one of her most popular being dating program 'Blind Date' which ran for 18 years between 1985 and 2003.
After the ceremony - at the church where she and husband Bobby Willis had their marriage blessed - the entertainer's body will be laid to rest close by at Allerton Cemetery where her parents are buried. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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