Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have led tributes to Cilla Black, who died yesterday aged 72.

Black began her career as a cloakroom attendant at the Cavern Club, where she also performed alongside The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers and Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.

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Ringo Starr is said to have introduced Black to Brian Epstein, who later managed her until his death in 1967.

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She released her debut single “Love Of The Loved” in 1963. Written by Lennon and McCartney, Black’s version was produced by George Martin.

The following year, Black had two consecutive No 1 singles, “Anyone Who Had A Heart” and “You’re My World“.

Later, she became a successful TV presenter, with Surprise, Surprise – which ran from 1984 – 2001 and Blind Date, which ran for 18 years from 1985.

The BBC reports Spanish police confirmed a woman named Priscilla White – Black’s real name – died on August 2, 2015 in Estepona on the Costa del Sol, where the star had a home.

The death appeared to be due to natural causes, but this had not yet been confirmed by tests, police said.

Photo by David Magnus/REX Shutterstock

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