Cilla Black Husband: Meet Bobby Willis

Cilla Black was married to Bobby Willis from 1969 until his death in 1999. He was an English songwriter and talent manager who became the manager and eventually husband of Cilla Black.

His first known recorded composition, “Shy of Love” was featured on the B-side of “Love of the Loved”, the debut release of Cilla Black in September 1963. During the 60s he was to write many songs for his then girlfriend to record and perform.

After the death of Black’s manager, Brian Epstein, Willis took over her management duties and over the next 30 years, developed her popularity with television family audiences, and helped Black to become the highest-paid female presenter on television.

On October 23, 1999, at the age of 57, Willis died of Lung and liver cancer at the Royal Free Hospital in London. His funeral service was held on November 1 at Saint Mary the Virgin Church in Denham.