Cilla Black, beloved Blind Date host, entertainer, actress and singer, has received a BAFTA Special Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to TV entertainment.

Celebrating 50 years in TV in 2013, Black is considered a national treasure by the British public and helped blaze a trail for female presenters. The Liverpool-born star began her career in the 1960s as a singer after being championed by the Beatles. Her hit singles include Anyone Who Had a Heart and You’re My World. She went on to have a distinguished TV career, presenting Blind Date and Surprise Surprise among other shows.

Breaking down barriers for women in TV

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…”

Celebrating an icon

As well as being officially presented with the award at the Arqiva British Academy Television Awards on Sunday 18 May. a special lunch was held for Black on 13 May 2014. The lunch was held at Rabot 1745, Hotel Chocolat’s cocoa-centric restaurant overlooking London’s Borough Market, and was co-hosted by BAFTA’s official wine supplier Villa Maria. Guests in attendance included Christopher Biggins, Sir John Madejski, Lorraine Chase and Lord and Lady McAlpine. Scroll through the gallery below to view photos from the event.

Photography: BAFTA/ Jamie Simonds.

What is the BAFTA special Award?

A BAFTA Special Award is one of the academy’s highest honours recognising an outstanding contribution to film, games or TV. You can see more recipients in our Awards database.

For more inspiring stories from the world of film, games and TV, explore our BAFTA Award Stories section.