'Blind Date will continue without Cilla' - ITV

Blind Date producers say the show will go on despite the shock departure of Cilla Black.

Plans for a 19th series will go ahead later this year and the search will begin shortly to find a successor.

Trish Goddard, Graham Norton and Davina McCall are among names being tipped for the job.

The presenter, who will see out the latest series, announced her departure live on Saturday night's show.

Granada's director of entertainment Paul Jackson said: "This has been entirely Cilla's decision and we completely respect her for it.

"We would like to thank Cilla for giving us 18 fantastic years. It is certainly the end of an era."