Today it was announced that Cilla Black has died. She was 72 and is believed to have died of natural causes. In this article, originally published in May 2013, we reminisce about Blind Date and the legendary Cilla.

May she rest in peace. 

Originally published on May 27th 2013. 

PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

YOU CAN ACT as cool as you want but there’s a good chance you spent some of your misspent youth watching Blind Date at the weekends.

Here are some of the things that ALWAYS seemed to happen when you watched it.

1. You learned how to cringe while watching the dates back

They always seemed so awkward, even if they got lucky and got to go somewhere sunny and far-flung and not just down to Blackpool for the amusements.

When it went well it still  just seemed a bit …cringe inducing.

graham revill / YouTube

2. You passed comment on the clothes

There was a good chance that someone in the family was going to pass comment on what rig outs those on the show had chosen.

Sure, lookit the style of this:

via YouTube / Thesurus Nostalgia

And wouldn’t leave the house dressed up in the following gear?

via YouTube / TVajb

Remember when fellas would wear their trousers like this?

Scarlet.

via YouTube / DatetheUK

3. Somebody from Ireland would appear

Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland

If somebody from Ireland made it all the way over to Blind Date and got to meet Cilla Black then everyone would have to watch to see if they made a show of themselves.

And the sometimes they’d come back and become sort of famous for about five seconds.

4. There would be some kind of cheeky chappie

And invariably he’d wreck the head of everyone watching and be cheeky to Queen Cilla Black.

Rude.

Geoff Carter / YouTube

5. Somebody who would eventually famous would appear

We’re bet Amanda Holden is morto times a million that this footage exists.

Her reaction her says as much anyway:

spikeyroberto / YouTube

6. Cilla would occasionally make a mistake

And you’d love her for it:

craigie2K / YouTube

7. Cilla’s general catchphrases

She was just having a lorra, lorra laughs.

Imaga via Shutterstock / Quickmeme

8. The magical opening credits

And that theme song.

Incredible:

Lew Smi / YouTube

9. General Cilla-ness

Myung Jung Kim/PA Archive/Press Association Images

We’re not sure how Cilla Black reminded you of your mother, your aunt, your granny and your big sister all at once but somehow she did.

Even when she was rocking a pair of  leather trousers:

Yui Mok/PA Archive/Press Association Images

What a gal.

What. A. Gal.

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