Many years ago I was on a radio quiz called Beatle Drive hosted by Bob Wooler, who was the DJ at the Cavern in its heyday. In the hospitality room after the show he told the story of how Cilla came to be a singer.
John Lennon was keen to 'get to know her better' and she made it clear to him that this would be easily arranged if only John could persuade Bob to let her have a singing spot. John approached Bob, to which Bob replied "But John, she's got the worst ****ing voice I've ever heard!" John's reply was "We both know that, but I'm on for me end away there!".
Cilla got her spot, John got his end away and the rest is history...