Shrewsbury Blind Date contestant's tribute to Cilla Black

The former singer, who was watched by millions as the presenter of the popular dating show, died at her home in Spain over the weekend.

Siobhan Connor, who appeared on the show in the mid-1990s, spoke of her sadness at the death of the entertainer, remembered for her cheery Liverpool accent.

Miss Connor said she had just started university when she was selected to appear on the show.

She was number three on the line up, and was picked by Keith Tiernan from Dublin. The pair were treated to a holiday in the Caribbean.

She went on to work with Cilla as a producer with Live TV, and said she was shocked to hear about Cilla's death, at the age of 72.

"She was the queen of Saturday night TV when I was growing up," said Siobhan.

"Blind Date owned Saturday night in the 90s and I was very lucky to be part of it.

"Cilla had a great sense of humour and what you saw on television was the real Cilla. There was no pretence about her, she was the queen of entertainment."

Miss Connor was number three on the show, and she and Keith were taken to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

"We had a great time, and we stayed in touch, and I went to visit him in Dublin afterwards.

"We remained friends of a while, but over the years lost touch.

"I have looked for him on Facebook, but I think it is a common name and I haven't been able to find him."

Reg Price, who ran Excelsior Coaches in Wrockwardine Wood, recalls meeting Cilla while she was appearing in Jack and the Beanstalk at Birmingham Hippodrome in the 1980s.

"We used to take coach parties to the Hippodrome, and people in the coach industry were often invited to the pantomimes," said Mr Price, who is now 92.

"One year I went with my wife, and we chosen to meet Cilla in a side room before the start of the show."

Mr Price, who lives in Donington, said Cilla came across as a really warm-hearted person who enjoyed meeting people.

"She was marvellous, she was really friendly," he added.

"We had never met her before, but it was like she was talking to one of her own.

"She said she was really pleased to meet us and hoped we enjoyed the show."