Cilla Black ‘would be thrilled’ Paul O’Grady is presenting Blind Date when it is relaunched this summer

CILLA Black son's Robert Willis thinks Paul O'Grady will be excellent at fronting Blind Date - and that his late mum would be thrilled to see him on the show.

The Sun revealed that the lovable Scouser was to take the reigns of the iconic dating show when it is relaunched later this year.

Paul, 61, was a close pal of Cilla's, and read a moving eulogy at her funeral in 2015.

Speaking to The Mirror, 46-year-old Robert said: "Mum would have been very happy.

"If there was anyone she’d have wanted to do it, it would be him.

“He’ll make it his own. Blind Date was always about the funny moments.

"He’s not one of those guys with someone on an earpiece telling him what to say.

"He thinks for himself, like my mum. She never used those things.

“With Paul at the helm,there’ll be a lot of laughter.”

Cilla fronted the show for 18 years, pairing up lonely singletons with a bit of help from her faceless co-star "Our Graham".

When his appointment was announced, Paul said: ";Blind Date is an incredibly special family show which brought laughter, tears and joy to TV viewers.

“I am honoured to present the brand new series and after speaking to Channel 5, I know the series is in safe hands.

“I can’t wait to see if we can find love.”

Cilla, who died in August 2015 following a fall at her Spanish villa, hosted the show on ITV for nearly two decades before quitting on air in 2003.

The Sun revealed last month that the classic TV series was returning, with Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison the early favourite to replace Cilla.

While she won't be presenting, she will be involved in the reboot, which starts this summer.

Blind Date will be brought up to date “while paying respect to the traditions” by allowing gay and lesbian singletons to take part.

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