‘I’ll do you a good job here girl’
Stepping into Cilla’s shoes is her best pal Paul O’grady. Here the star, 61, tells us more
Hi Paul! How did you feel when you were first approached about a Blind Date remake?
When they rang up and said, ‘Do you want to do it?’ I said, ‘No, forget it.’ But when I spoke to Cilla’s son Robert, who I’m very close to, he said, ‘My mother would love you to do it.’ That’s why I said, ‘OK then.’
Were you nervous?
It was a shock, the first one. When I heard the music, I expected them to say, ‘Your host, Miss Cilla Black,’ but of course it’s my name, and I came out like a rabbit in the headlights. It was weird emotions for the first few shows. I kept thinking, ‘I’ll do you a good job here, girl!’
Is the show very different to the old one?
It’s the same set – but it’s no longer just about boy meets girl, it’s boy meets boy, girl meets girl, boy meets Alsatian, whatever! It’s a time now of diversity and you can’t ignore that, you’ve got to move with the times.
What are the new contestants like?
They’re all so nice! They all say, ‘I speak six languages, I play the guitar…’ They all go to the gym and they’re all fit and healthy – and I feel so old, decrepit and debauched next to all these nice young people!
What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done for someone?
I took Cilla on the Orient Express for her 60th. The conductor said, ‘Shall I make up both bunks or shall I put two bunks together?’ I said, ‘I’m not getting in with her!’ and she said, ‘I’m not getting in with him neither!’ That was a lovely thing. I’m not really a romantic person, I’m not the ideal cupid to tell you the truth!
● Blind Date, 17 June, Channel 5