- Title: BRITAIN-CILLA BLACK/FUNERAL PREPS Fans gather for Cilla Black's funeral
- Date: 20th August 2015
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - MAY 18, 2014) (REUTERS) CILLA BLACK TALKING TO REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRESENTER AND ENTERTAINER, CILLA BLACK, SAYING: "I think the great thing was Brian Epstein, just before he died, he said to me, you know, your pop career, you can't be a pop singer forever and your forte is in television and I didn't see it, but he did. And that was the last thing he did for me was sign, in black and white, I was in monochrome, for the BBC." LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - MARCH 26, 2014) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRESENTER AND ENTERTAINER, CILLA BLACK AND ACTOR, CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS, SAYING: Cilla Black: "I loved it. I loved every minute of it. Harry Hill, if you know Harry Hill you would love this musical." Christopher Biggins: "I think it is so funny. We never stopped laughing. It's got wonderful songs. It's a great variety show in this great variety theatre, the London Palladium, it's perfect. Black: "My home." Biggins: "Cilla's home."
- Embargoed: 4th September 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: United Kingdom
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA8RBD1VGG60VMT85VVYZ6SM8BB
- 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: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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