Tanya Tate, Others Comment On Cilla Black’s Impact To BBC News

LONDON, UK—Award winning adult actress and director Tanya Tate spoke to BBCNews.com about the impact British entertainment icon Cilla Black made on her. A Liverpudlian, the 72-year-old Cilla passed away on August 2 of a stroke, the apparent result of a head injury suffered while the singer/TV host was sunbathing at her villa in Estepona, Spain.

Of the many accomplishments in her career, which include holding the UK's biggest selling single ("Anyone Who Had A Heart") by a female artist in the 1960s, Cilla was also a prominent television presenter and hosted the entertainment show Blind Date—a show on which a young Tanya Tate and several others now famous (including Genesis drummer/lead singer Phil Collins) made an appearance. Tanya, also from Liverpool, talked to BBC News about meeting Cilla and the lasting impression she made on her.

Blind Date was the first time I had ever been in front of the cameras,” said Tanya. “I was a bit befuddled, but Cilla was a proper professional and inspired confidence in a young lass that has made it possible for me get where I am now. She was an amazing individual and will be missed.”

The BBCnews.com article, “Cilla Black Changed My Life," can be found here.

Pictured: Cast of Blind Date with Tanya Tate, back row, second from right