Playing the dating game

Will it be number one? Davina, a bubbly brunette with plenty of experience hosting live TV shows including Popstars and Big Brother.

Or number two? Claire, a lively Liverpool lass and the British Forces' sweetheart.

Or what about number three? Blonde bombshell Lily, another Liverbird, with a quick wit and a punch to match.

ITV executives – the choice is yours.

Yes, it’s been a lorra, lorra, fun, but after 18 years Cilla Black is to quit Blind Date. ITV bosses are now faced with the biggest choice of all – end the show or replace her with a new presenter.

Cilla made the shock announcement on live TV on Saturday night after apparently seeking advice from her dead husband Bobby through a clairvoyant.

Bobby, who died of cancer three years ago, reportedly told his widow she was doing the right thing in leaving the show. The 59-year-old star had been unhappy about changes to the programme, including the slot change, the new live format and the axing of voiceover man Graham Skidmore.

She says she had been thinking about quitting for some time and wanted reassurance from Bobby.

She maintains she had not told the clairvoyant why she wanted to contact her husband, but was given the message: “You are frightened and excited. But Bobby says that is OK – you are doing the right thing.”

Cilla says she was initially “stunned”, but now feels very “calm” about the future.

Speaking about her decision to quit live on air, she said: “I did it because I felt the viewers deserved to know first. They made me – they made the show. Even my closest friends didn’t know.”

But the shock announcement leaves ITV executives in a dilemma, jilted at the altar of television scheduling. Should they try to re-invent the show with a new presenter or does Cilla’s departure signal of a beautiful friendship between Blind Date and the viewers?

Already speculation is rife as to who might succeed her as queen of Saturday night TV if the show is saved.

Graham Sharpe of William Hill bookmakers says: “We have installed chat show host Trisha Goddard as 3/1 favourite to succeed Cilla as the permanent presenter of Blind Date.

“Following her shock decision to step down, we have been inundated with punters wishing to bet on the identity of her successor.”

Other contenders include Davina McCall at 4/1, Cat Deeley at 16/1 and Claire Sweeney at 50/1.

Or perhaps the programme makers will opt for a male host with Ant & Dec at 8/1, 14/1 for Paul O’Grady (Lily Savage) and 16/1 for Dale Winton.

But for some Blind Date without Cilla is simply not an option.

GMTV television critic Richard Arnold says no other presenter could step into Cilla’s shoes.

“To be honest – I’d doubt anyone would want to try,” he says. It’s simply too big a hole to fill. Cilla Black was Blind Date.”

But while he doesn’t think Blind Date will continue, he is not sure we have seen the back of it altogether.

“I don’t think it can continue without Cilla. But Blind Date is a hit show. The bums on seats may not have been as numerous recently as they once were, but fundamentally it is a hit show.

“I think they will probably shelve it for a while, but we may see it back in the future in some form.”

Cilla has, he says, made the right decision to go. “As she told me herself, she’s made the right choice. She’s certainly worked hard over the years. Good luck to her, I say.”

And what of the prime time Saturday night slot? “I’d quite like to see a return to live television,” Arnold says. “Something like a Davina McCall - Don’t Try This At Home – type of show. Or even like Noel’s House Party, before it went pear-shaped. Something unpredictable and exciting, but please God, no more Pop Idol.”

Most experts agree that replacing Cilla is not really an option and would like to see her departure bring about a much-needed shake-up in Saturday night television.

Luke Satchell, online editor of Broadcastnow.co.uk, says: “Blind Date has been around for a very long time and compared to when it started, ratings have plummeted.

“It’s possible the show could continue, but I think it’s unlikely. Let’s face it – Cilla Black was Blind Date.

“I personally would like to see her departure give things a bit of shake-up. Perhaps it’s time for something completely different – anything that carries on in a dating format is going to have a hard time living up to expectations.

“And viewing figures would seem to suggest that people are a bit bored with this type of dating show in this slot. I can’t imagine that a new presenter could turn it around.

“I would like to see something new and fresh in Blind Date’s place.”