Hollywood comedian, who was in sitcom I Love Lucy with her husband, told singer: ‘You’re the one with the talent’

It was the showbiz breakup that set the stage for a decades-long music career and entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Now, the singer Cher has revealed what finally made her leave Sonny Bono and strike out on her own: the Hollywood legend Lucille Ball reminded her she was the talented one.

The singer told BBC One’s Graham Norton Show she resolved to break up the onstage and marital union unless Bono agreed to an equal split. But she still needed a final push to take that step. “I didn’t know what to do and leaving was a hard thing for me. [Lucille Ball] was on television and part of a couple [with Desi Arnaz], so I went to her, and she said: ‘Fuck him, you’re the one with the talent.’”