Loving Cilla on ITV - we used to call them Bobby'n'Cilla (papers didn't print anything until it was announced; hacks were different in those days). I fondly remember a one hour conversation with Cilla in 1992 when she tried to persuade me NOT to give up as Producer of The Brits (I'd saved it after the disaster of 1989 - Cilla was the star of my 1992 show but I was fed up with BPI interference). Lovely girl; so genuine; I knew her before she had her nose job (I was lucky enough to have my first hit in 1965). Great watching so many old friends on the show (Peter Brown; Cliff; Nigel: Tarbie).

I don't get it. Outside of small showbiz circles she was HATED. She treated people like shit. The stories about her were legion. It was no accident she was never on ITV after her shows ended. They hated her, too. So when she died, okay, the mock sadness, but by now? They're still doing this fake affection?? It's really weird.

I knew her for 35 years and she was a truly genuine, funny, honest soul.

Something similar was said about Yootha Joyce.
Celebrities are under the spotlight constantly, so off days should be expected and excused.

I love Yootha. I believe she featured on a cover for The Smiths.
Her death was very tragic. You never know what is going on in people's minds.

There are some celebs who are fine with their so-called equals, but absolute shits to everyone else. Cilla Black treated 'ordinary' people like something she'd stepped in. It's no good explaining that kind of behaviour away. Why did her ITV career stop? Because her new boss had been treated like dirt when he was a modest runner on one of her old shows, had never forgotten it and was adamant he'd never commission anything else from her. Ask the people where she lived what she was like to them - brace yourselves, it won't be nice. The whitewashing of Cilla Black is really pathetic.

Well as we used to say - I can only speak as I found; believe me under a variety of circumstances, for 35 years.

It's an incestuous world many celebs live in. Black was probably wonderful to anyone whom she thought was important, but there's been this hagiographic coverage of her since she died that completely ignores the other side to her.

Take a look at this reaction to the show this week: forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/2370596...he-lost-tapes#latest

That's what many non-celebs think.I've known many who've met her who really liked her beforehand and absolutely hated her after because she was so arrogant, rude, pompous and downright nasty towards them. I'd just like to see a more balanced account of her.

Rick wrote:
It's an incestuous world many celebs live in. Black was probably wonderful to anyone whom she thought was important, but there's been this hagiographic coverage of her since she died that completely ignores the other side to her.

Take a look at this reaction to the show this week: forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/2370596...he-lost-tapes#latest

That's what many non-celebs think.I've known many who've met her who really liked her beforehand and absolutely hated her after because she was so arrogant, rude, pompous and downright nasty towards them. I'd just like to see a more balanced account of her.

I can well understand how Cilla's voice could "go right through" a lot of people, but only a moron would say she couldn't sing.

As for the nasty remarks about her bonking John Lennon to get a spot singing.... Do they think she seduced Epstein too?


I'm with her on the salmon too.

Cilla was vile to my colleague's and co workers, she definitely was a loose cannon.

I have met most of the cast of Hi-De-Hi they were all lovely people. Su Pollard can swear like a sailor and be hilarious at the same time.

Oh definitely a loose cannon; many real characters are. I always found her a delight. Ditto Cliff. Who can spot a phoney a mile away.

Loved this story which, strangely, the Mail spotted BEFORE we wrote about it here! Congrats Eleanor Sharples.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8027055...hirley-took-hit.html

Rick wrote:
It's an incestuous world many celebs live in. Black was probably wonderful to anyone whom she thought was important, but there's been this hagiographic coverage of her since she died that completely ignores the other side to her.

Take a look at this reaction to the show this week: forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/2370596...he-lost-tapes#latest

That's what many non-celebs think.I've known many who've met her who really liked her beforehand and absolutely hated her after because she was so arrogant, rude, pompous and downright nasty towards them. I'd just like to see a more balanced account of her.

I read similar comments years ago on an airline forum with many cabin crew past and present saying how they dreaded any flight she was due to be on. Ironically, I think cabin crew were her choice for room 101 when she appeared on the show!

I think life is a lot better without ever subscribing to - or indeed reading - the opinions of the armchair assassins & bedroom buffoons that flock to the likes of Digital Spy forums to tell people they don't know 'what they think' about people they've never met.