Over the years, her flaming locks and Liverpudlian accent have become a TV staple in the UK. Now Blind Date presenter Cilla Black is back with a new series – and, what’s more, she’s recaptured her primetime Saturday night slot.
Cilla’s show will replace the Des Lynam-fronted ITV football programme The Premiership, which has suffered from relatively low viewing figures, drawing concern from advertisers. Des moves to 10:30pm with Cilla settling back into the 7pm slot for the 17th run of the popular dating series.
Calling the switch “a victory for the nation’s women”, the 58-year-old TV star said: “I think it was a very bold thing to try with the footie. I love football, but women rule, OK. I’m not talking about me, I’m talking about the nation’s wives and mothers who have to look after children all week while their guys go out and watch their footie. When they come home at night they want light entertainment. Football is not light entertainment.”
Cilla says there is no truth in the rumours that she threatened to quit if the scheduling wasn’t changed. “I’m not a quitter,” said the bubbly presenter, who was devastated by the loss of her beloved husband Bobby to cancer two years ago. “I’m a survivor. But I would never say ‘It’s Des or me’. I’m too professional.”
She does admit, however, that she called Granada boss Charles Allen to ask him whether Blind Date could possibly be revived. “”I just asked Charles, ‘Can’t we salvage something on Saturday night and bring Blind Date back?’. And he said ‘Yes’.”
Outside of work, Cilla, who dubs herself a “grey babe”, says that despite the loss of her husband she is still living life to the full. “For the first time since I was 18 I’m single, and although I still miss Bobby, I decided to treat his death positively. I love going out partying.”
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
