Cilla actress: She gave tips when I was 11
THE actress playing Cilla Black in a new musical was given tips on success as a youngster by the late star.
Kara Lily Hayworth won the role over thousands at open auditions.
She said: “Aged 11, I was out with mum and bumped into Cilla.
“I told her I wanted to be an actress – she laughed and said ‘It’s a tough industry, but if you really work hard and go for it, you’ll be just fine’.”
Watford-born Kara added: “She was a huge inspiration as a child; I grew up watching her on Blind Date every Saturday night with my nan.”
Cilla – The Musical is produced by son Robert Willis and is based on Jeff Pope’s ITV mini-series.
It opens at the Liverpool Empire on September 7.