Cilla Black to be buried in home city of Liverpool

Cilla Black will be buried in her home city of Liverpool.

The entertainer's funeral will take place on Thursday 20 August, at St Mary's Church in the suburb of Woolton, the same church where she married Bobby Willis, her husband of thirty years, in 1969.

The Right Reverend Thomas Williams, Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool and former Parish Priest of St Anthony's, Scotland Road, will officiate.

After the funeral, her body will be laid to rest at a private ceremony in Allerton Cemetery. She will be buried alongside her parents.

In a statement, the much-loved entertainer's representative said further details would be released "once all the preparations have been finalised".

"Once again the family have asked for their privacy to be continually respected at this difficult time."

The retired vicar, who conducted her late husband Bobby's funeral 16 years ago, also spoke of his shock on hearing of her sudden passing.

Speaking to The Mirror Rev Adrian Hirst said the ceremony ­would be difficult for her family and fans because her death was so unexpected.

Recalling Bobby's funeral he said: "I remember Cilla walking up the church path looking as sad as anyone I have ever seen. Her own funeral will be even sadder for those closest to her. The sudden nature of her death will have hit everyone so hard.

"She spoke a lot about one day being reunited with Bobby in death, but that will be of little consolation to mourners. She was a much-loved icon and her funeral will be intensely grief-stricken."

Born Priscilla Maria Veronica White in Liverpool in May 1943, Cilla Black emerged from the city's music scene in the 1960s and rose to fame to become one of Britain's most popular singers.

A cloakroom attendant at the famed Cavern Club, she soon took her turn at the mike showcasing her distinctive voice. She was quickly signed up by the Beatles manager Brian Epstein at the recommendation of John Lennon. As a pop star Black sold millions of records and even toured with the Beatles scoring eleven top ten hits between 1964 and 1971.

In the wake of her death, the entertainer, dubbed 'Liverpool's Cinderella', has made a posthumous return to the UK charts.

The 72-year-old died of a stroke after falling over at her Spanish home on Saturday (1 August) last week. Her body was flown back to the UK, almost one week after she died.

In a statement released on Tuesday, (2 August) Cilla's sons 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.

"We would like to thank everyone, especially the people of Liverpool. The tributes and condolences have really helped us through these difficult times."