Reading FC co-chairman John Madejski has paid tribute to his "very good friend" Cilla Black who died at her Spanish holiday home over the weekend.

The Liverpudlian was a frequent visitor to the Madejski stadium and accompanied Sir John on events around the town during their 12-year friendship.

In a statement released this afternoon he said he would "miss Cilla very much indeed" and had been "deeply upset" by news of her death.

He said: "I was absolutely devastated to hear the news of Cilla’s passing yesterday. What you saw was very much what you got with Cilla Black. She was a very natural person, so down-to-earth. That is why I liked her so much.

"We got on together so well. We both sung from the same hymn sheet. I will miss her deeply, but I will remember all the fantastic times we shared – from going up to see her in pantomime in Liverpool, to time spent with her in Barbados and back here at Madejski Stadium of course.

"She was very engaging as a person, she had a view on everything - she was just the most wonderful human being to know. I'll miss her friendship very much indeed.

"I'm deeply upset personally. But my heart goes out to her boys Bobby, Ben and Jack, their families and all her other dear friends of course…of which she had so many. Her family's loss is colossal. However, I am pleased she was able to pass away peacefully and I hope now she will be reunited with the love of her life, Bobby, who sadly died in 1999.

"Cilla was a very, very good friend. I was very privileged to know her."

Sir John complimented his friend on Cilla Black's  illustrious career.