‘I’ll do Cilla proud’
New Blind Date host Paul O’grady, 61, wasn’t sure at first about stepping into the shoes of his dear pal, the late Cilla Black …
lind Date must be a B show that’s very close to your heart, having been such good pals with Cilla Black [who hosted the original series from 1985-2003]? When they first asked me if I wanted to do it, I said no. But then Cilla’s son Rob told me his mother would have loved me to take it on. So, I said “OK” – and actually it makes a nice change as I’m either knee-deep in wee [on ITV’S For The Love Of Dogs] or filthy out in Borneo [doing
Animal Orphans]!
Have you enjoyed it? It was a shock at first when I heard the music and I expected them to go: “Ladies and gentlemen, here is your host – Miss Cilla Black!” but of course they didn’t, and I came up to the top of the stairs like a rabbit in the headlights. I do mention her constantly because she’s sort of there with us. I don’t believe in all that but I’m very much aware of her, and I am enjoying it; it’s a hoot. is it like the original series? It’s filmed on the same set, and you’ve got the sliding wall and the three stools. It’s all very nostalgic but it’s no longer just boy meets girl; it’s boy meets boy, girl meets girl, boy meets Alsatian… It’s a time of diversity and you can’t ignore that; you’ve got to move with the times. Were you worried about not doing the show – and Cilla – justice? At first it was weird, feeling I was on somebody else’s turf. But I was thinking, “I’ll do you a good job here, girl, don’t you worry. I’ll do you proud.” I wanted to ring her and say: “I’ve done it!” but I couldn’t. I was always on the phone to Cilla, and Jackie Collins and they both went in the same year. Blo*dy hell, don’t hang around me too much, ladies! What are the contestants like? They’re all so nice. They say: “I speak six languages, I play the guitar and the piano…” I’m like: “Maybe if you kept your blo*dy gob shut you could get a date, frightening them off with your skills!” What do you think of online dating? It must be terrifying having a complete stranger come round to the house. I wouldn’t know what to do. Do you want me to undress now? Do we go straight through to the bedroom? Do we go to the pictures? I have no idea! Mel sykes steps into the shoes of “our Graham,” as the voiceover... When she did Today With Des And Mel and Des [O’connor] was off, I used to go in and do it with her. Mel is great fun and a nice girl and she was my first choice for this. She’s young and lively and she’s got a nice voice. Vicky Pattison was first tipped to be hosting this; what do you think about that? Who is she? [Paul is told]. Oh, I know who you mean. I remember being in the ITV studios once and I was talking to these two girls who were banging on about being on TOWIE – I thought it was a drug. I don’t watch it! Would you have any of your celebrity pals on Blind Date? They wouldn’t come on, and I don’t want a celeb version. Everything is celebrity this, celebrity that and I think it’s the last kick to a dying horse when they start doing that. Are you romantic? I took Cilla on the Orient Express for her 60th. The conductor said: “Erm, shall I make both bunks up or put two together?” I said: “I’m not getting in with her!” and she said: “I’m not getting in with him either!” That trip was lovely, but I’m not a romantic person to tell you the truth. My idea of foreplay is: “Hold my chips, I’ll only be five minutes!”