The former Strictly Come Dancing host praised the late Blind Date presenter for having a "common touch" that made her relatable to the public.
© Popperfoto/Getty Images
Bruce Forsyth and Cilla Black in 1966
Cilla Black 1943-2015: Her life in pictures, from musical stardom to TV icon
"72 is no age to leave us all, so many people are going to be so upset," he told ITV News.
"She had such a following, everybody loved her with all the shows she did. She had that - as we say, what people always say about me - that common touch."
The 87-year-old said he would miss Black, adding: "I still can't believe it. I didn't see much of her in the last few months at all, but whenever I did see her she always had a laugh.
"She'd always laugh, mostly against herself, that kind of comedy person. But what a lovely performer, what a lovely lady, and we're going to miss you."
Tributes for the 'Anyone Who Had a Heart' hit-maker have flooded in from the likes of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, to Sheridan Smith who played her in ITV's drama Cilla, as well as friends Sir Cliff Richard, Christopher Biggins and Paul O'Grady.
Spa! nish police believe Black died of natural causes at her home in Marbella.
Cilla Black 1943-2015: Life of a showbiz icon in pictures:
Next A 1960s TV appearance during the height of Cilla's singing career. Born Priscilla White, the story goes that she adopted her stage name after a misprint in Mersey Beat - deciding that she quite liked Cilla Black as a stage name. Copyright: Getty Images Monitor Picture Library/Photoshot 1 of 19 Source : http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32545/f/492401/p/1/s/a7ae4c4/sc/3/l/0L0Sdigitalspy0O0Cshowbiz0Cnews0Ca66140A20Cbruce0Eforsyth0Epays0Etouching0Etribute0Eto0Ecilla0Eblack0Eshe0Ehad0Ea0Ecommon0Etouch0Bhtml0Drss/story01.htm
