Details surrounding the death of legendary singer and TV star, Cilla Black, have emerged as tributes flood in for 'Liverpool's Cinderella'.
It's been reported that her son Bobby found her lying on her back on a sun terrace adjoining her bedroom, but she was already dead by the time he reached her.
Paramedics arrived at the property in a quiet cul-de-sac around 6pm on Saturday but could do nothing to save the 72-year-old.
Her body was removed around 1.30am on Sunday after police, a forensic expert and the judge in charge of a routine investigation into the death visited the scene.
Cilla Black, the presenter's stage name, was born Priscilla Maria Veronica White on May 27, 1943. She was married for 30 years to her manager Bobby Willis until he died in 1999 of lung cancer, aged just 57. She leaves behind three sons, Robert, Ben and Jack, as well as two grandchildren.
She had a long association with The Beatles, and famously worked in the coatroom at The Cavern in LIverpool, where The Fab Four ruled supreme. The band also wrote several songs for her, and both surviving Beatles were shocked by her death.
Paul McCartney, who is in Los Angeles, said: "Such a shock to hear about Cilla's passing. She was a lovely girl who infected everyone with her great spirit.
"From first meeting her as a cloakroom girl at the Cavern in Liverpool, to seeing her many times since, she always had a fun-loving dignity that made her a great pleasure to be around.
"She had a fine distinctive voice and was always a bit of a laugh. It was a privilege to know and love her."
Ringo Starr said: "I just heard the news that Cilla Black has left us. She was a good friend and we will all miss her."
Close friend Paul O'Grady described Black as one of his sisters. Speaking to the Liverpool Echo newspaper he said: "Please tell me this isn't true? We've been friends for nearly 20 years. She's like my sister.
"Apart from her hearing she was all right. We had a week together in Barbados at the beginning of the year and I saw her on my birthday.
"I thought she was well. I can't believe it to tell you the truth."
Black's Surprise! Surprise! co-star Christopher Biggins also gave an emotional tribute to his friend, describing her as a "national treasure".
"It's devastating news, really devastating," he said.
"She was a wonderful friend. She was someone who was a life force, she loved to laugh and loved to enjoy herself.
"I remember when I was asked if I would like to do a TV series starring alongside her called Surprise! Surprise! and I couldn't believe it, I was in shock. And I am in shock now that she has died.
"She will always be with me. She was a national treasure.
He added that he last spoke with Black around two weeks ago before her trip to Spain and the pair had arranged to meet up in September.
"I know one of her sons was with her in Spain and that's marvellous. She loved her boys, they were her life."
Singer Cliff Richard said he will miss his "outrageous" friend dearly.
"Some people will always be with us and Cilla is one of those people," he said.
"I will always think of her as outrageous, funny, incredibly gifted but above all full of heart.
"She was a very special person, and I have lost a very wonderful friend, I will miss her dearly. God bless her."
Family Fortunes presenter and Coronation Street star Les Dennis said in a series of tweets he felt like "the nation has lost a family member".
"Just heard one of THE brightest stars in the show biz firmament, Our Cilla, has faded. The sky is far less bright without you Tara Chuck x," he wrote.
"All our love goes to her family so shocked and saddened for you xx."
TV star and singer Peter Andre said it was "terrible news", tweeting: "Very sad day today losing such an icon."
Former Queen guitarist Brian May posted a video of her singing on his Facebook page, after writing: "The wonderful Cilla Black has died. How very sad. RIP."
Comedian and game show host Jimmy Tarbuck, who had been friends with Black for more than 50 years, described her as "Liverpool's Cinderella".
"She was the total rags-to-riches story. She was Liverpool's Cinderella, and she did go to the ball. What a career. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful career."
