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Cilla Black cause of death confirmed as a stroke


Cilla Black died after falling and hitting her head before suffering a stroke.
The beloved singer-turned-TV presenter passed away at her holiday home in Estepona, Spain on the weekend and her cause of death has now been confirmed.
A publicist for the 'Blind Date' host said: "It has just been confirmed by the judge and coroner in Spain the autopsy was conclusive - Cilla Black died of natural causes.
"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."
Cilla's body was reportedly discovered by her eldest son Robert, who is believed to have kicked her bedroom door down after she failed to rise from a nap.
Robert and his brothers Ben and Jack - whose father Bobby Willis died from cancer in 1999 - have released a statement, saying: "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. The Spanish authorities have now told us we are able to bring Mum home, which we hope to do as quickly as possible. We would like to thank all those involved for their assistance with this matter. We respectfully request for our continued privacy to grieve."

Hugh Bonneville won’t do period dramas for 18 months


Hugh Bonneville won't star in any more period dramas for 18 months after 'Downton Abbey'.
The 51-year-old actor has just finished filming the final series of the ITV show, in which he plays the Earl of Grantham, and claimed he has "had enough of the stiff collars".
He said: "My agent and I had a discussion recently and I've got one rule, that for the next 18 months I don't do anything pre-war. I've had enough of the stiff collars. Never say never, but it's time to give the white tie and tails a rest."
The 'Paddington' star insisted he's loved his time on the popular drama but feels it's come to an end at the right time.
He added: "I will always look on it with huge affection and gratitude because not only this bunch of people but the experience has a whole has been transformative really, really it has. But it's time to say goodbye."
Hugh has confessed, however, that reading the end to his character's story definitely put a tear in his eye.
He told The Sun newspaper: "I got a lump in my throat reading the final episode. I think that was also to do with realising it was the last time I was ever going to be reading one of these scripts and they have been such a pleasure to read. But the way it ends is very appropriate."
The sixth and final series of 'Downton Abbey' will come to an end with this year's Christmas Special.

Jake Wood for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!


Jake Wood wants to appear on 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!'
The 'EastEnders' actor is set to take a year-long break from the BBC One soap later this year and has now admitted he would be up for taking part in the ITV reality show, which sees a group of celebrities camp out in the Australian jungle and complete terrifying Bushtucker trials.
Asked if he'd ever appear on 'I'm A Celeb', Jake said: "Yeah, I do really like that show. And everyone I've spoken to who's done it has said they really enjoyed it. I'm not squeamish - so eating strange stuff wouldn't bother me."
The 43-year-old star - who came in fifth place on 'Strictly Come Dancing' last year - also joked he wouldn't mind the pay packet that comes with the show.
Quizzed on whether he likes reality TV because it gives him a chance to show people the real him, he told Radio Times magazine: "In some ways, yes. But it would be a good holiday for the family as well, wouldn't it? And the money would be nice. But I think the main appeal is that it's a different experience."
Jake also opened up about his decision to take a break from 'EastEnders' following a busy year for his character Max Branning, who is currently being accused of murdering his former lover Lucy Beale.
He added: "I'll have done 987 episodes by the time I go. Max has had a very hectic nine years. So I think both he and I need this break."

CBB new signing to rival Perez Hilton


'Celebrity Big Brother' bosses have signed Perez Hilton's self-proclaimed sworn enemy to the new series.
Austin Armacost - the ex-boyfriend of fashion designer Marc Jacobs and star of US reality TV series 'The A List: New York' - has slammed the celebrity blogger and promised to be a "truth-teller" on the show.
Austin, 27, said: "He's an absolute k**b - ironic as he's famous for drawing k**bs on celebrities' foreheads.
"I can't believe no one lost their temper and walloped him. He is everything I despise.
"I am a truth-teller. If I know another housemate is being shady, sneaky or conniving, they will be confronted about it."
The new Channel 5 series will have a UK v USA theme and has already signed up American model Janice Dickinson and former 'The Only Way Is Essex' star Dan Osborne.
Austin - who is married to a British LGBT activist Jake Lees - is a frequent social media user and describes himself as "exuberant, eccentric, outgoing, loud and big mouthed".
An insider told The Sun newspaper: "Austin is a great signing and will bring loads of drama to the house. He is not afraid to say what he thinks and can be pretty catty."
'Celebrity Big Brother' kicks off at the end of August on Channel 5.

Robin Windsor hopes Kristina and Ben stay together


Robin Windsor hopes Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen's relationship will "go the distance".
The former 'Strictly Come Dancing' professional - who is Kristina's long-time dance partner - has revealed he'd like to see the couple overcome the difficulties they've faced since getting together following Ben's stint on the BBC One celebrity dance contest in 2013.
He said: "My hope for them is that they stick at it and go the distance just like any other couple.
"Everyone has had their ups and downs. If their relationship is strong enough they'll fight through them and realise it's all about one another."
Kristina - who previously dated Joe Calzaghe after being partnered with him on 'Strictly' - was branded a home-wrecker after retired rugby star Ben split from his wife Abby.
But Robin insists Ben - who has twin daughters with Abby - needn't worry if Kristina is partnered with yet another hunky celebrity on the upcoming series of the show.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Ben's got nothing to worry about, it's the same with any occupation. You're dancing with someone and to us as ballroom Latin dancers, the touchy feely side we've been doing since we were four years old. That to us is just normal, people from the outside world see it as a bit intense."
The 35-year-old star - who is dating former 'X Factor' contestant Marcus Collins - added that Kristina is attracted to Ben because he can "look after her".
Robin added: "Kristina needs someone that is going to take care of her and look after her. She's a strong woman so as long as she's got that she'll be very happy."

Amanda Holden doesn’t drink


Amanda Holden doesn't drink alcohol often because she's "petite" and "doesn't handle booze very well".
The 'Britain's Got Talent' judge was a guest at Piers Morgan's 50th birthday party and did allow herself to indulge in a few drinks but she insists it's a rare occurrence for her to enjoy a tipple because she gets tipsy easily.
Amanda - who stands at 5ft 5in - said: "I barely drink, because I'm quite petite and I don't handle booze very well. Two or three drinks and I'm gone. Although I had a great time at Piers Morgan's 50th, though - we stayed until 5am and I danced all night. You know when you dance like no one can see you? Piers is very sweet - I know I probably shouldn't like him, but I do."
The 44-year-old star lives with her husband Chris Hughes and their two daughters, Alexa, nine, and Hollie, three, in Chipping Norton in the Cotswold Hills in Oxfordshire and has seen British Prime Minister David Cameron down their local pub a few times with his wife Samantha.
Amanda is convinced the PM is a "force to be reckoned with".
Speaking about the area where she lives, Amanda told Notebook magazine: "I love having such a great group of people around, I even see David Cameron down the pub. Last time I saw him, he'd just come off a bike ride with Sam and the kids, plus loads of security. Everyone else looked loads sweatier and more puffed out than he did. He's a force to be reckoned with!"

Simon Cowell: X Factor didn’t feel right last year


Simon Cowell has admitted the last series of 'The X Factor' "didn't feel right" because Cheryl Fernandez-Versini wasn't herself.
The music mogul believes there was something "off" with fellow judge Cheryl last year, and he thinks the new series of the competition will be better than ever as he can see she is much happier.
He said: "She's definitely happier than she was a year ago, much happier ... I think sometimes you can go through years when everything gets a bit too much and I think for Cheryl - I don't know what it was about last year - there was something off.
"The last series just didn't feel right to me from the minute I started recording it. I never felt it was going to be fun.
"This year, it feels different. I'm not putting it down to Cheryl, but she's in a different place, I'm in a different place."
Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw have replaced Mel B and Louis Walsh on the judging panel, and Simon hopes the changes will lead to less squabbling between the panellists and more focus on the contestants.
He told HELLO! magazine: "I'm kind of bored with all the fights. I just want to get it back to the talent."

Cilla Black’s pool cleaner claims she died of stroke


Cilla Black's pool cleaner claims she died of a stroke.
Antonio, who cleaned the swimming pool at her Spanish villa in Estepona where she was found dead aged 72 on Saturday (01.08.15) believes she died of a stroke, even though coroners reports have so far proved inconclusive.
He revealed: "Everything had been fine. It was a stroke. Cilla hadn't been here since last year. I knew her from years back - she was very friendly.
"She had been coming here for many years and loved Spain."
And while the world mourns the 'Anyone Who Had A Heart' singer, Antonio revealed her three sons, Robert, Ben and Jack - who she had with her late husband Bobby Willis - have been keeping busy.
He added: "All three sons are in the house. They are sorting out the paperwork."
The official cause of the 'Blind Date' host's death has not yet been confirmed although her family are hoping a second coroner's report due today (04.08.15) will give them some closure.
Last night a spokesman for Cilla's family said: "We are desperately waiting for the coroner's report.
"We think they are going to be given it tomorrow afternoon. They need this so they can move on."

Cilla Black’s post-mortem ‘inconclusive’


Cilla Black's post-mortem examination was "inconclusive".
An autopsy on the late 'Blind Date' host - who passed away at her holiday home in Spain aged 72 at the weekend - failed to determine her cause of death but police are still treating it as "non-suspicious".
Further tests on organ and tissue samples taken from the star have been ordered and will be carried out at a specialist lab in the southern Spanish city of Seville.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "The autopsy into Cilla Black's death has been conducted today.
"Further tests will now take place and the police and judicial investigation will continue as is standard practice in a case of this kind."
Cilla - who shot to fame in the 60s with hits including 'Anyone Who Had A Heart' and 'Step Inside Love' before becoming a much-loved TV host - is believed to have died after suffering a fall after waking from a nap and becoming dizzy from the change in temperature on her sun terrace.
A source shared: "The marks she's got are consistent with a fall where she's put up an arm as a defence mechanism. What needs to be determined now is why she fell and whether it was indeed to do with the sudden change in temperature and the effect that had on her - which seems the most likely scenario at the moment - or whether something else triggered the collapse.
"Midday temperatures on Saturday in the area were in the high eighties and we know Cilla wasn't in the best of health. More tests may be necessary after the autopsy to get to the bottom of what's really happened.
"There's no evidence to link Cilla's death to any criminal act but police and courts generally like to keep an open mind on things. The possibility she fell because she was confronted on the terrace by a would-be burglar has also been looked at and not yet excluded although it is not being seen as a probable scenario."

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