Cilla to quit Blind Date

Cilla Black is to quit her show Blind Date after almost 18 years, saying it is becoming more like work than fun.

She has announced the move on television, revealing she is considering several "new and exciting" TV projects for 2003.

ITV's Blind Date was launched in 1985 and Cilla said the current series - the 18th - will be her last.

She admitted the show is getting more like work than fun and that she wants to leave before it becomes a "chore".

"Now I'm looking forward to a year filled with exciting new challenges," she added.

The 59-year-old presenter, who will this year celebrate her 40th year in showbusiness, said she wanted to finish the show on a "high".

"Over New Year I thought a lot about what I wanted to do in 2003, and decided it was the right time to move on from Blind Date," said Cilla.

The show was successful in pairing off six contestants during the show's history; Anna Azonwanna and Paul Pratt married in 1998, Lillian Morris and David Fenson tied the knot in 1994 and Sue Middleton and Alex Tatham married in 1991.

Cilla Black is planning to commemorate her 40th year in showbusiness by writing her autobiography, Cilla, What's It All About?, as well as staging a charity gala at the London Palladium.

Speaking live on Saturday's programme, she told viewers: "I have had great fun for 18 years and would like to thank everyone involved in the show."