Spanish police probe ‘fall’ theory as tributes pour in for star Cilla
SPANISH police are investigating whether Cilla Black’s death came after a fall caused by a dizzy spell brought on by a sudden temperature change.
Black may have walked from an air-conditioned room into midday heat, with the change in temperature causing her to become unsteady, according to reports.
A post-mortem examination has failed to determine the cause of death, but police in Spain have said “everything at this stage is pointing towards her death being the result of natural causes”.
Black was found on the balcony of her Estepona holiday home by her son who was staying nearby.
Paramedics arrived at around 6pm local time on Saturday but were unable to save her.
Her sudden death at her home in the south of Spain has left friends, family and the British public in shock.
Tributes have been pouring in for Black, 72, led by close friends such as Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Paul McCartney and Christopher Biggins.
She rose to fame in the 1960s as an associate of The Beatles and their manager Brian Epstein.
Born Priscilla Maria Veronica White in Liverpool, she became the first woman to have her own prime-time chat show on BBC1.
Her star continued to shine brightly, and she had two number ones in 1964 – Anyone Who Had A Heart and You’re My World.
In a touching tribute to her, Sir Cliff Richard said he was due to visit her at her house in Spain next week.
“Her passing away is a particular shock because despite the aches and pains we all suffer, she was always so upbeat,” he said.
And former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr said: “She was a good friend, we will all miss her.”
EastEnders star and good friend, Barbara Windsor, described her death as “awful”.
She said: “I’ve seen her twice in the last few weeks, and as always she looked immaculate. But I knew she wasn’t very well, she didn’t seem well.”