The owners of the grave next to late Blind Date host Cilla Black have been forced to put up a sign urging people not to trample on their loved one’s plot.
Cilla’s grave in Allerton Cemetery, Liverpool, has attracted hundreds of mourners who visit the plot to pay their respects to the star.
But the family of the late Charles Heney – who is sandwiched between Cilla and her parents John and Priscilla – have taken offence at the unwanted attention, claiming people step over their relative’s resting place.
A sign next to the grave of Mr Heney, who died in 1971, reads: ‘Polite notice. Please could you NOT stand on our family grave. Thank you.’
Several fans have posted pictures of themselves leaning on or kneeling next to Cilla’s grave, which lies near John Lennon‘s mother Julia, who died in 1958 aged 44.
The sign urging people not to trample over Charles Heney’s plot is to the left of Cilla Black’s grave
Cilla Black (pictured) attending the Arqiva British Academy Television Awards at Theatre Royal in May 2014
Cilla’s grave in Allerton Cemetery, Liverpool, has attracted hundreds of mourners who visit the plot to pay their respects to the star
Cilla was born Priscilla Maria Veronica White in Liverpool on May 27, 1943, and began a career as a singer in 1963, helped by her friends The Beatles.
She is best known for her TV career, which spanned decades and included smashes such as Blind Date between 1985 and 2003 and Surprise Surprise from 1984 to 2001.
The star died from a stroke following a fall at her Spanish holiday home in Estepona on August 1, 2015.
She was buried at Allerton Cemetery, with hundreds of mourners lining the streets of Liverpool on the day and some even crashing the internment.
One fan said on Instagram: ‘Took the hubby to be with £cillablack on her birthday today.’
Another added: ‘Paying our respects to Liverpool’s queen.’
It is not known exactly when the sign urging people not to step over the grave was put up.
Cilla’s plot was previously vandalised in 2020, when her headstone was attacked along with Sir Ken Dodd’s nearby.
Cilla was born Priscilla Maria Veronica White in Liverpool on May 27, 1943, and began a career as a singer in 1963
Cilla attending the 25th birthday party for restaurant Le Caprice in London in October 2006
Green spray paint was used to sprawl a derogatory comment about John Lennon on the back of Cilla’s stone. It was quickly removed, while Sir Ken’s was taken away for cleaning.
In 2015, fans described her resting place as a ‘disgusting mess’ after a bronze memorial plaque to mark the spot before her headstone was added was stolen.
Retired mechanic Colin Murray, 56, travelled from Leeds to pay his respects.
At the time he said: ‘I know it has been raining a lot but I was shocked by the state of the grave. In earlier pictures it looked stunning and serene – but today it looks a disgusting mess.
‘I’m sure her family must not be aware of the condition of it at the moment as they would be really upset.’
A spokesperson for Liverpool City Council said: ‘Our cemeteries are valued places of peace and reflection for many Liverpool residents and visitors from outside of the city.
‘Our team works very hard to care for the cemeteries and we encourage all visitors to show these spaces and all the graves the respect that is due to them.’
