TRIBUTES have been pouring in for Liverpudlian legend Cilla Black, who died at her home in Spain over the weekend, aged 72.

A familiar face on TV and in the pop charts, her career spanned decades – making her a well-known figure for generations of British families.

Joan Collins led tributes to the star, tweeting: “I am so sad and shocked by news about my good friend Cilla. She was a resplendent and rare talent.”

TV presenter Holly Willoughby, who took over from Black as host of Surprise Surprise, added: “So so sad to hear the news that we have lost one of my heroes, Cilla you were one incredible lady! Sending all my love to her family.”

Sheridan Smith, who portrayed Cilla in the acclaimed ITV drama last year, said: “I’m absolutely devastated to hear the tragic news about Cilla. She was the most remarkable woman, a true legend. She was so kind and helpful to me, it was a privilege to play her. My condolences go out to her family and all who loved her. She will be truly missed.”

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Declan Donnelly has married Ali Astall at a star-studded ceremony in Newcastle.

Dec’s TV presenting partner Ant McPartlin was the best man at the ceremony, while his brother Father Dermott Donnelly, the Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral, led the ceremony at St Michael’s Church, Elswick.

Guests Holly Willoughby, Ashley Roberts, Tess Daly, Phillip Schofield, Paddy McGuinness and Leigh Francis (aka Keith Lemon) were among a host of celebrities to watch Dec get wed.

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Emmerdale star Anthony Quinlan has revealed the most memorable part of the soap’s dramatic helicopter crash storyline for him was his trousers splitting open in front of the rest of the cast and crew.

Pete Barton and Debbie Dingle’s wedding day is set to end in disaster when a helicopter the groom has booked to surprise his bride crashes into the roof of the wedding venue, injuring many of the guests and killing off at least one major cast member.

Anthony, who plays Pete, revealed: “My pants split! Rescuing Debbie (Charley Webb) from the rubble, I bent down and my fat a**e split my pants, it was quite revealing! Quite a bit more was revealed than maybe should have been. That was quite memorable.”

The crash is caused when Chrissie Sugden (Louise Marwood) sets fire to her husband Robert’s car in a row over his affair, causing a gas canister to explode, just as the helicopter passes overhead.

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Sacked Hollyoaks star Stephanie Davis has admitted she turned to alcohol to cope with a gruelling workload and the death of her grandmother.

The Merseyside-based actress, who played fiery character Sinead O’Connor, was sacked from the soap with “immediate effect” after storming off set last month.

She told the Daily Mirror that she had been on a downward spiral after her grandmother Muriel died a few months ago.

And she explained that working six days a week had left her feeling “suffocated”.

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