Paul McCartney demo given to Cilla Black sells for £18K

A long-lost demo disc recorded by Paul McCartney that was given to Cilla Black has sold for £18,000 at auction, the Beatles expert who found it has said.

Black, who died in 2015, had a UK top 10 hit in 1964 with It's for You, written by McCartney and John Lennon.

McCartney recorded his own version earlier that year, which was delivered to Black while she was performing at the London Palladium.

It was believed to have been lost or destroyed until her nephew found it.

The disc fetched £18,000 at the Beatles Memorabilia Auction at Unity Theatre in Liverpool but with commission the unknown buyer will pay £21,060.

Simon White said he believed his paternal aunt - whose birth name was Priscilla White - gave the disc to his late father in the mid-60s.

"My father was an avid record collector who took great care of his record collection, and he personally created the cardboard sleeve in which the acetate demo has been stored in his collection for more than 50 years."

Mr White assumed the copy was of his aunt's version and took it with other items to be valued at The Beatles Shop in Mathew Street, Liverpool.

'Shaking with excitement'

Stephen Bailey, who has managed the store for 31 years, said they played what they thought were 21 demo discs by Black.

"We got to the last one and, as soon as I heard it, I thought: 'Oh God, that's not Cilla Black, it's Paul McCartney'."

"I was shaking with excitement and speechless."

The seven-inch acetate was found by Cilla Black's nephew

He added: "Apart from a few crackles, which you get with acetates, the quality is fine. It's a wonderful recording.

"I can't think of finding anything better unless I discover there is a sixth Beatle."

Sir Paul was allowed to make a copy of his recording to add to his personal archive, Mr White said.