Black made her TV debut in 1968 with the BBC variety show Cilla, welcoming guests from Sir Tom Jones to Sir Cliff Richard. In doing so, she became the first woman to host her own primetime chat show on BBC One.
Black went on to present some of the UK’s most popular and iconic entertainment shows. Blind Date and Surprise Surprise ran from the 1980s to the early 2000s, and she fronted The Moment of Truth between 1998–2001. Regularly drawing audiences of around 18 million, Black has hosted more than 500 television shows and made around 400 guest appearances on others. This makes her one of the most watched women in British TV history.
She is also critically well received. Blind Date was awarded the Lew Grade Award For A Significant And Popular Programme at the BAFTA Television Awards in 1995.
Andrew Newman, chair of BAFTA’s Television Committee, said: “Cilla Black is a true icon in the television and entertainment industry. From hosting her own show for the BBC in ‘68 to defining ITV entertainment throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, Cilla has been an extremely popular and hugely influential entertainer throughout her long career in television. Last year she celebrated her half-century in show business and we are thrilled that she will receive this year’s Special Award…”
