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Liverpool bids farewell to Cilla + film Cliff Richards tribute


Family, friends and fans turned out in force for the funeral of Cilla Black, which took place in her family's parish church of St Mary's in Woolton, Liverpool on Thursday. Hundreds of people cheered and threw flowers as her funeral cortege made its way to the church. The bells rang as mourners arrived for the Mass which was concelebrated by Bishop Tom Williams with parish priest Fr Tim Buckley.

Cilla's coffin was carried into the church to the sound of Debussy's Clair de Lune. The Mass opened with the hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful. Besides Cilla's family, participants included Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lorraine Chase, Gerry Marsden, Carol Vorderman and Sir Tom Jones.

Sir Cliff Richards reflected on his friendship with Cilla before he sang 'Faithful One'. He described Cilla as "the greatest TV presenter of all time". Richards said he found it felt "outrageous" that Cilla was gone, but added: "I have a faith".. "I don't think anything happens by accident. I know there is something else, I know all of our souls will be united again, and Cilla, this is just a hiccup in our relationship."

The singer wiped his eyes as he descended from the lectern after singing, to enthusiastic applause.

Cilla's sons Robert and Ben joined TV stars Paul O'Grady, Jimmy Tarbuck and Christopher Biggins to give readings and tributes.

Robert Willis described his mother as a "wonderful lady who had touched all our lives and brought joy and laughter" to those she knew. He said: "Her pure enthusiasm, self belief and wonderful sense of humour made being with her a joy and a pleasure."

His brother Ben Willis later spoke, saying his mother "was always young at heart".."I think this was one of the reasons so many people loved her dearly. She loved being a star. She lived to entertain and make people happy."

In his homily Bishop Tom said he and Cilla came from the same neighbourhood "we're both Scotty Roaders" he said. "It was a community of survivors, particularly the strong women. They were all strong individuals, but each was blessed with an innate determination and, opinionated but also good listeners: passionate and committed, but with 'tongues that could take tar off walls'. No fools, but with hearts of gold and sentimental to a fault. Honest and generous, but you never crossed them. And over and above all that they had a fierce pride, a strong Faith and a wicked sense of humour. That's why I said at the beginning of our Mass, and with confidence, that Cilla - the person - and Mother - had Five 'F' words in her life: Family, Friends, Football and Fun, and the word that gave meaning to them all was 'FAITH', a happy and tough upbringing."

Paul O'Grady gave a warm closing tribute, saying: ""I firmly believed that Cilla was indestructible. I've got fabulous Cilla stories because we just had such a good time together. We just laughed constantly. We got into a lot of trouble, I'll admit, but we laughed while we were doing it. "I loved this lady dearly. You've no idea. She was one of my closest friends and I absolutely adored her."

After the service, Cilla was laid to rest at a private ceremony in Allerton Cemetery, where her parents are buried.

Fans have been asked to make donations in Cilla's name to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. An online donation page has been set up here: www.justgiving.com/remember/217936/Cilla-Black

See also: ICN 20 August 2015 Text: Bishop Tom Williams at funeral of Cilla Black - www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=28123

Watch Cliff Richards sing his song 'Faithful One' at the start of the Mass: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHm6vEUvAjw

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