Cilla Black funeral: Fans and stars mourn 'Liverpool's Cinderella'

Cilla Black's popularity stemmed from her love of life and the fact she never forgot her working class background, Sir Tom Jones has said.

Paying tribute to the singer and entertainer before her funeral earlier this afternoon, the Welsh crooner said: "She loved people, and people recognised that."

TV presenter Paul O'Grady brought the service to a close with an emotional and laughter-filled eulogy.

He described Cilla as "one of my closest friends" who he "loved dearly".

"I'm just so grateful that she allowed me into he whirlwind of a life and that we spent nearly two decades together hellraising - if you pardon the expression," O'Grady said to laughter.

"Cilla, I would just like to say 'thanks for all the fun, thanks for all the laughs. Ta-ra girl, I will see you on life's highway'."

As O'Grady left the lectern, he kissed his fingers and gently pressed them on the coffin.

Cilla Black's son Ben has paid emotional tribute to his mother, who he called a "fiercely proud and determined" woman who "refused to compromise".

Visibly struggling at points, he recounted humorous memories of conversations they shared - and spoke of the shock at losing her so young.

He described Cilla as "young at heart", and said her late husband Bobby had been the love of her life - "her world".

Bobby's death in 1999 had forced her to grow up, though only "a little", he added.

He went on to read the poem Farewell My Friends by Rabindranath Tagore.

Comedian Jimmy Tarbuck told the funeral Cilla was a "treasured friend" and "the first lady of show-business".

He told the service: "It's a sad day and I'm sorry to be here."

Robert Willis, Cilla Black's son, paid tribute to her and gave a reading at the service.

He told the congregation his mother was a "wonderful lady" who "brought joy and laughter to so many of us".

"She was indeed a daughter of Liverpool. Now the circle is complete," said Mr Willis.

He then read a poem by Henry Scott Holland.

Presenter and entertainer Christopher Biggins did a reading from the book of Wisdom at the funeral for his friend and fellow TV personality Cilla Black.

Following the reading, he added: "We will always love you Cilla."