Cilla 'devastated' by £1m robbery

Cilla Black said she wanted to see her son

An armed gang stole more than £1m in valuables from entertainer Cilla Black after breaking into her home and threatening to kill her son.

The Blind Date presenter said she was "totally appalled and devastated" by the attack, which saw her lose "irreplaceable" jewellery given to her by her mother and late husband.

In a statement Miss Black said the loss of her possessions was nothing compared to the ordeal faced by the youngest of her three sons, 22-year-old Jack.

She said: "I am just so grateful he is alive and slowly coming to terms with what has happened."

'Kidnap threat'

The gang of three masked men broke into the Blind Date presenter's home in Denham, Buckinghamshire, at about midnight on Saturday.

Burglary is not just a violation of your home but also a terrible psychological crime Cilla Black

Jack, who was watching television, heard banging on his bedroom door and opened it - expecting to see his 29-year-old brother, Ben.

He was then hit with a crowbar and bundled to the floor, the statement said.

The gang handcuffed Jack and put a hunting knife to his throat, saying that they would kill him unless he showed them where the valuables were.

After finding what they wanted the gang then threatened to put him in the boot of their car and kidnap him.

"Jack had the presence of mind to reason with them and thankfully they decided instead to secure him to a radiator in the house," the statement said.

'Traumatic experience'

The star arrived home on Monday afternoon, after cutting short a holiday.

She said: "Our Jack has been a very brave man, and I'm extremely proud at the way he handled and is handling this traumatic experience.

"What he was subjected to must be everyone's nightmare."

It is thought that cash, gold and Miss Black's entire jewellery collection was stolen during the raid - including her mother's engagement and wedding rings and presents from her husband Bobby Willis.

She said: "Losing my entire collection of all the gifts Bobby gave me and my mam's wedding and engagement rings is heartbreaking. Their sentimental value far outweighs their material worth.

"Now I've lost everything I will not be replacing them, you can't replace sentimental value and it's not worth putting anyone's life at risk."

Miss Black, whose other son is 33-year-old Robert, added: "Burglary is not just a violation of your home but also a terrible psychological crime as anyone who's experienced it will know.

"Sadly it seems to be becoming more and more common these days."

'Left shaken'

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police confirmed three men had forced their way into the house "past a male resident".

"They hit the man with what is believed to be a crowbar and restrained him.

"The man did not require hospital treatment but was left shaken by the incident."

Nobody has yet been arrested in connection with the burglary.

A police helicopter and dogs were used to search for the men, but they could not be found.

`