Following the news that national treasure Cilla Black has passed away, various reports have surfaced claiming that it was the star's eldest son Robert who found his mum. Robert is said to have checked on his mother on Saturday late afternoon, after she failed to rise from a nap.
According to the Mirror, Robert had to force the door open to Cilla's room, where he found his mum lying outside on the sun terrace adjoining her room.
Cilla had sadly already passed away by the time Robert reached her, and while the family are still awaiting autopsy results, a source close to the investigation has said that the 72-year-old most likely died of natural causes.
Robert was on holiday with his late mum Cilla in Spain
Cilla, who was best known for hosting popular entertainment shows Blind Date and Surprise Surprise, may have suffered a fall due to the intense Spanish heat. The TV presenter was holidaying in Spain, near Marbella, with her eldest son and had arrived to the sunny climes just a few days ago.
"The main theory right now is that she had a dizzy turn after going from an air-conditioned room into the midday heat and losing her balance," a source told the Mirror. "The marks she's got are consistent with a fall where she's put up an arm as a defence mechanism.
"What needs to be determined now is why she fell and whether it was indeed to do with the sudden change in temperature and the effect that had on her – which seems the most likely scenario at the moment – or whether something else triggered the collapse."
The 72-year-old star is believed to have died from natural causes
The source added that police have not ruled out criminal acts as the reason for Cilla's fall, but that she most likely died of "natural causes".
Cilla was known to have suffered from arthritis and hearing loss, something she said was caused by her younger days working as a coat check girl in the lively Cavern Club in Liverpool, where she was from.
Her son Robert is understood to be staying at a friend's house in the area. His younger brothers Ben and Jack immediately flew over when they heard the news and were pictured arriving at their late mum's villa, where they are staying.
Ben was spotted coming back from the supermarket laden with shopping bags, but said that he did not want to comment at the moment. Cilla's spokesperson confirmed her death in a statement, writing: "It is with deep sorrow that I confirm today the passing of singer and TV personality Cilla Black. Details of her death will be announced following the coroner's report. Her family have asked for their privacy to be respected at this time."