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# RIP
"She would not have suffered": Cilla Black died of a stroke
The TV icon fell before the stroke happened.
CILLA BLACK DIED of a stroke, a postmortem has confirmed.
A family spokesperson today released a statement confirming her cause of death.
“Cilla was sunbathing on her private terrace at her villa in Estepona, got up, lost her balance and fell hitting her head, which knocked her unconscious, and she subsequently died of a stroke. She would not have suffered,” the statement said.
Black was found by her son Bobby at her holiday home in Estepona near Marbella in Spain on Sunday. She was 72 years old.
The Guardian said the delay in confirming the cause of her death was because forensic experts had asked first responders for more information about the circumstances of how her body was found and to carry out further tests, not because foul play was suspected.
According to the BBC, her three sons – Robert, Ben and Jack Willis – have now been given permission to return her body to the UK as soon as possible for her funeral.
In a statement they said:
We are devastated by the sad loss of our mother, but have been deeply touched by all the kind messages of support from her friends, fans, the public and media.
Black’s passing sparked an outpouring of grief over the weekend.
The Liverpudlian was a popular singer before turning her hand to TV presenting. She hosted Blind Date on ITV from 1985-2003 and Surprise Surprise from 1984-2001.
