STEP inside love… We’ll get to my ITV interviews for their new three-part 1960s’ drama a little further down. So the cheapest seats in the back row of the upper stalls must have accounted for a significant slice of my parents’ holiday budget.As soon as Cilla – aged 23 – appeared on stage, I was in love.I have no memory of what she sang that night but I do have a vivid recollection of Cilla gazing up from the stage and asking, ‘Are you all right up thurr in the gods?’Some 18 months later, allowed to stay up on a school night, I sat transfixed in front of our Rediffusion black and white TV.When Cilla walked on to our screens in her first ever television show – BBC TV’s ‘Cilla’ – on the evening of Tuesday January 30 1968.It was over 25 years later when I next saw Cilla “live” – in rather different circumstances to Holiday Startime.The venue was the Penthouse Suite of London’s Dorchester Hotel.Cilla sparkled like the champagne that flowed during our interview.With her husband Bobby standing at the back of the room and within her direct eyeline.Sheridan Smith gives, perhaps, her finest ever screen performance as Cilla in ITV’s drama of the same name, which begins at 9pm on Monday (Sept 15).Not least in an astonishingly good vocal performance, singing live on set throughout.A perfect piece of storytelling from writing genius Jeff Pope.At its heart the love story of Cilla and Bobby Willis, the fellow “scally” who later became her husband and manager.As well as their relationship with The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein who guided her to stardom and died in tragic circumstances.I cried when I read the scripts several months ago.With no further need to test my reaction every time I watch the three completed episodes.One of the best television dramas I have ever seen.I still have no real idea why this wonderful production brings me – and others – to tears.Except to say Cilla is a hugely entertaining, beautiful and truthful story about life, love, heartbreak and the wonders of a red telephone box.With thanks to all involved from a little lad in the back row of the gods. Championed by The Beatles, she began her career as a singer in 1963, and her singles "Anyone Who Had a Heart" (1964) and "You're My World" (1964) both reached number one. Maybe she wouldn’t have had the career she went on to have. My mum and dad and I were on an annual holiday to Blackpool, staying on the top floor of a packed bed and breakfast establishment. I just thought, ‘I did see them.’ I could see the two of them. I’d see them together and I could see how tight they were. ***************************************************************It was an honour to be asked by ITV to write the cast interviews for Cilla, which I completed earlier this year.Sheridan Smith (Cilla), Aneurin Barnard (Bobby), Ed Stoppard (Brian Epstein), Melanie Hill (Big Cilla) and John Henshaw (John White) all give award-winning performances.In yet another stunning drama project from writer and executive producer Jeff Pope, director Paul Whittington and producer Kwadjo Dajan.The team behind Mrs Biggs – also starring Sheridan – and much more.Click on the link below to read my Cilla cast interviews in the ITV Press Pack / Production Notes.And scroll down for my Q&A transcript from the later London press launch – held on Friday August 15 2014 – where all three episodes were screened, as in a feature film.Younger readers who only know Cilla from her Blind Date and Surprise Suprise era may not realise just what a hugely successful singing star she was in the 1960s.Listen, for example, to this recording of her singing a demo for Step Inside Love, written by Paul McCartney as the opening and closing theme song to that first BBC TV series.You can also hear Paul on guitar, both guiding her through this new song and humming along, with the voices of legendary Beatles producer George Martin and Cilla at the end:****************************************************************Jeff Pope: “It’s a good question.
Priscilla Maria Veronica White OBE (27 May 1943 – 1 August 2015), known by her stage name Cilla Black, was an English singer, actress, entertainer and media personality. View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1968 Solid Center Vinyl release of Step Inside Love on Discogs. The Very Best Of Cilla Black [2013 Album] Release date: 20-Nov-2015. And I think because of everything she did, she was free to do what she could do. Step inside love, let me find you a place Where the cares of the day will be carried away By the smile on your face We are together now and forever, come my way Step inside love and stay Step inside love, step inside love Step inside love, I want you to stay You look tired love, let me turn down the lights It was talking to Robert and finding out the history of it and all the detail, it all clicked. I think she thought that was how she had to be at that point. Cilla’s music lived on in the BAFTA award-winning ITV drama, Cilla, in 2014 and a new stage musical which followed her death in 2015. Step Inside Love (Intro version) Hits Medley – Something Tells Me/Anyone who had a Heart/ Liverpool Lullaby/You’re My World; That’s What Friends are for (with Cliff Richard) Heart and Soul (with Dusty Springfield) Through The Years .