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MUM'S MEMORY

Cilla Black’s son Robert ‘sleeps where she died’ to feel close to her

CILLA Black’s son Robert has said he “sleeps where she died” to help him feel close to her.

The telly legend passed away in August 2015 at her holiday in home in Marbella, Spain.

 Cilla Black's son Robert has given an emotional interview ahead of the three year anniversary of her death
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Cilla Black's son Robert has given an emotional interview ahead of the three year anniversary of her deathCredit: Rex Features

Robert, 48, was the one to find his mother’s body after she fell on the balcony of her bedroom.

In an emotional interview with , Robert said: “I use her room now. I still refer to it as Mum’s Room but she wouldn’t have wanted it to be a room we couldn’t go into, a shrine.”

Robert and his brothers Jack, 38, and Ben, 44, have kept the villa exactly as it was and still holiday there.

He added: “Because she died there it is even more special, I suppose.

Paul O'Grady pays tribute to original blind date host Cilla Black
 Telly legend cilla, here with Robert as a baby, passed away following a fall at her holiday home in Spain
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Telly legend cilla, here with Robert as a baby, passed away following a fall at her holiday home in SpainCredit: PA:Empics Sport
 In 2013, she had celebrated her incredible 50-year career in the entertainment industry
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In 2013, she had celebrated her incredible 50-year career in the entertainment industryCredit: Hulton Archive - Getty

“I’ll never get rid of it or rent it out.”

Earlier this year Robert opened up about his late mum's battle with ill health in the months before she passed away.

He explained how Cilla was going deaf and suffered painful arthritis in her hands in the lead up to her death.

She also had cataracts removed from her eyes.

 Robert says he would never sell the villa in Marbella
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Robert says he would never sell the villa in MarbellaCredit: 2005 Getty Images

The entertainer was also unable to wear high heels in her old age which, according to her son, had hit her hard.
Robert said: In her heart and in her head, she was incredibly young so I think she found it all difficult

The Surprise Surprise star, born Priscilla White, died alone after spending the day sipping champagne and watching TV.

 He is keeping Cilla's memory alive to this day and wants her legacy to live on
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He is keeping Cilla's memory alive to this day and wants her legacy to live onCredit: PA:Press Association

Robert had been out shopping but when he returned to the villa he had knocked on Cilla's bedroom door but received no answer.

Growing concerned Robert then barged in only to find her dead.

Cilla launched her career as a singer in the 1960s and went on to host several entertainment shows, including her own variety show, Cilla, as well as Blind Date, Moment of Truth and Surprise.

In 2013 she celebrated 50 years in the entertainment business.


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