Heartless yobs target graves of Ken Dodd and Cilla Black in Liverpool cemetery by spraying ‘offensive’ graffiti on their headstones
- Both celebrities buried at Allerton Cemetery, which was targeted overnight
- Sir Ken’s headstone has now had to be removed from grounds for cleaning
- Cilla’s headstone was able to be repaired on site and both families informed
Heartless vandals have defaced the graves of Ken Dodd and Cilla Black by spraying ‘offensive’ graffiti on their headstones.
Both celebrities are buried at Allerton Cemetery in Liverpool, which was targeted overnight.
Sir Ken’s headstone has now had to be removed from his final resting place for thorough cleaning, while Cilla’s was able to be repaired on site.
Both celebrities are buried at Allerton Cemetery in Liverpool, which was targeted overnight. Sir Ken’s headstone has now had to be removed for thorough cleaning
Cilla’s headstone was able to be repaired on site. It understood both families have been made aware of the vandalism
It understood both families have been made aware of the vandalism, and Liverpool City Council is working to carry out repairs in a timely manner.
A council spokesman said: ‘We were appalled to discover this morning that the graves of Cilla Black and Sir Ken Dodd had been vandalised overnight. Staff are carrying out repairs.
‘We would urge anyone who has any information about the person or people responsible to contact the police.’
Sir Ken died on March 18, 2018, aged 90, at the same home in Knotty Ash in which he was born and raised.
He was laid to rest, alongside his mother Sarah and father Arthur, in a private burial service at Allerton Cemetery.
Surprise! Surprise! star Cilla Black was buried just feet from her parents’ graves, and her headstone is a marble memorial which describes her as a ‘devoted mother and grandmother’.
Cilla passed away in August 2015, aged 72, and her headstone carries her name ‘Cilla Black OBE’ above the single word: ‘Singer’
Cilla passed away in August 2015, aged 72, and her headstone carries her name ‘Cilla Black OBE’ above the single word: ‘Singer’.
The headstone also gives her full name, Priscilla Maria Veronica Willis, nee White, and gives her date of birth and death: May 27, 1943 and August 1, 2015.
It reads: ‘Beloved wife of Bobby, Devoted mother and grandmother. She celebrated life to the living of it and loved to entertain.’
The headstone also features lyrics from some of Cilla’s most famous songs, Step Inside Love, Alfie and You’re My World.
Cilla died from a stroke at her villa in Spain, after losing her balance and falling while sunbathing.
Her funeral was held at St Mary’s Church, Woolton – where she married her late husband Bobby Willis in 1969.
Shortly after her burial, Cilla’s grave was targeted by cruel thieves who stole a bronze plaque inscribed with her name.
Merseyside Police have been approached for comment in relation to the vandalism.
Sir Ken died on March 18, 2018, aged 90, at the same home in Knotty Ash in which he was born and raised