Cilla Black's life story 'to be turned into West End musical'

Cilla Black’s life story could soon hit the stage as a West End musical.

Black’s publicist has confirmed that the late singer and entertainer gave her blessing to a planned musical before her death earlier this month at the age of 71.

The story was first reported in The Sun yesterday (August 17), where a source told the paper that following the success of ITV’s Sheridan Smith-starring biopic Cilla last year, the former Blind Date presenter had agreed to a planned show with “senior theatre figures”, and that following her death on August 1 a “swarm” of production companies were now attempting to acquire the rights.

Cilla’s publicist has since confirmed plans for a musical to The Liverpool Echo, saying: “Following recent reports in the media, this is to confirm that prior to her untimely death Cilla Black had given her blessing to a West End stage production based on her life.

“Cilla was thrilled and excited at the idea, and was looking forward to its development.”

However, the musical – which was in the “early stages” of development – has been put on hold for the time being while Cilla’s family come to terms with her death.

Fiveash continued: “Her manager, son Robert Willis, had been in continuous talks with a West End producer regarding early stages of planning, but obviously these are now on hold for the time being.”

Liverpool-born Black died on August 1 at her holiday home in Marbella, Spain. The coroner ruled over the weekend that the much-loved star had an accidental fall and died from a “traumatic head injury”.

Her funeral is set to be held at St Mary’s Church in Liverpool on Thursday (August 20), where she married her late husband Bobby Willis, who passed away in 1999.

Cilla Black’s life story ‘to be turned into West End musical’

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