Cilla Black 'gave blessing' to musical with talks to resume after funeral

Cilla Black was "thrilled and excited" about a planned West End musical based on her life, her agent has said.

Black, 72, who died earlier this month after falling at her home in Spain, had "given her blessing" to the stage production, Nick Fiveash said.

In statement, he added: "Cilla was thrilled and excited at the idea, and was looking forward to its development.

"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."

Last week the inquest into the death of the Blind Date and Surprise Surprise star heard that she died accidentally after falling and hitting her head at her villa on the Costa del Sol.

Her funeral will take place in Liverpool next Thursday at St Mary's Church, Woolton. She will then be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Allerton Cemetery alongside her parents.

Mourners in Liverpool are expected to give a fitting send-off for the popular TV presenter and former pop star, who always held her home town in great affection. More details about the funeral will be released soon, he said.

The star has made a posthumous comeback to the UK music charts last week with her compilation album The Very Best Of.

The greatest hits collection, first released in 1983 and then most recently re-released in 2013, landed its highest ever chart position as fans paid tribute.

It was Black's highest charting album since Sher-oo in 1968, according to the Official Charts Company.

Her former number one single Anyone Who Had A Heart, first released in 1964, also returned to the charts in 41st place, marking its highest chart position in 51 years.