Coronation Street star and comedian Les Dennis said the nation has “lost a friend, a sister, a mother” after he joined Cilla Black’s other celebrity friends and loved ones at her funeral.

“I think the service was magnificent,” he added in a BBC interview outside the church.

Les Dennis
Les Dennis (Peter Byrne/PA)

“It was amazing in the church, very moving and there was a lorra, lorra laughs and Cilla would have loved that there were a lorra lorra laughs.

“For me Cilla was, as she has been coined, the Cinderella of Liverpool, she was the first lady of Liverpool.

“I think it’s very fitting that she’s come home.”

He added: “The people of Liverpool really, really love her, her heart is here and now she’s here as well.”

When asked about Anyone Who Had a Heart playing during the funeral he said: “It was the most wonderful rendition”.

“She was the greatest, greatest female performer that we have had, on all levels – a great singer, a great comedian, and the best presenter on Saturday night TV.”

Dennis added: “It feels like the whole nation has lost a friend, a sister, a mother.

“I think the nation has been singing her songs all week and hopefully her album will get to number one, she would have loved that.”

After the service, composer and West End impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “I thought it was beautifully conducted and a wonderful choice of music. Those who knew her well spoke fantastically about her, the sense of joy, fun and love that was always around Cilla.”

Comedian Ted Robbins said that the service had been “very moving”. After speaking to the crowds and giving some hugs, he said: “It was beautiful, very moving. Cliff Richard singing and Paul O’Grady was hilarious. It was just great, very touching.”

Former Countdown and Loose Women star Carol Vorderman said: “It was lovely, very funny as well.”