Paul McCartney pays tribute to 'good friend' Cilla Black

London: "The Beatles" star Paul McCartney, while remembering singer good friend Cilla Black, has said her spirit was infectious and it was his "privilege" to know her.

Black, best known for her 1964 single "You're My World", died on Saturday.

The 73-year-old musician, who is currently in LA, expressed his grief through an statement, reported the Daily Mirror.

"Such a shock to hear about Cilla's passing. She was a lovely girl who infected everyone with her great spirit. From first meeting her as a cloakroom girl at the Cavern in Liverpool, to seeing her many times since, she always had a fun loving dignity that made her a great pleasure to be around.

"She had a fine distinctive voice and was always a bit of a laugh. It was a privilege to know and love her," the statement read.

During the early days of her career the singer became close friends with The Beatles and her first single "Love of The Loved" was by late John Lennon and McCartney.