From the archive, 25 January 1970: The plain truth about Cilla Black

Originally published in the Observer on 25 January 1970: In reinventing herself as a family-friendly star, she has lost what made her special, says Tony PalmerCilla Black has what is called a happy disposition. She has evolved more by accident than design, like a bossy, favourite niece who insists on entertaining the family after supper in the parlour. With a cultivated accent as thick as Mersey fog, she has giggled her way through six years of plain food and a good natter.She still manages to s...

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