One of Britain's favourite television shows is bidding a fond farewell to its much-loved host as Cilla Black waves goodbye to Blind Date. After 18 years with the popular gameshow, Cilla has decided that it is time to move on and try something new.
The 59-year-old singer and entertainer says the programme is becoming more like work than fun and she wants to leave before it becomes a "chore".
"Over New Year I thought a lot about what I wanted to do in 2003, and decided it was the right time to move on from Blind Date," she revealed on Saturday’s programme. "I have had great fun for 18 years and would like to thank everyone involved in the show."
Cilla will mark her 40th year in show business with a charity gala at the London Palladium this year and she is also working on her autobiography,Cilla, What's It All About?
The enduring match-making game spawned a myriad copycat programmes and several contestants went on to form permanent relationships. Sue Middleton and Alex Tatham married in 1991, while Lillian Morris and David Fenson followed suit in 1994. Anna Azonwanna and Paul Pratt also tied the knot in 1998.
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