Cilla (miniseries) nerves singing for Brian Epstein. A drama this good, with Smith in sparkling form, knows it can take its time to flourish." The Guardian wrote: "The third, and best, reason why Cilla is so watchable is Sheridan Smith. It's one of those extraordinary performances, like Julie Walters as Mo Mowlam, when an actress does more than play a real character; she becomes her, to the extent that it's hard for the viewer not to forget they're not actually watching a young Cilla Black. She sounds like her, too. I'd be interested to know what someone more qualified to judge (an
Cilla Battersby-Brown valued member of the cast and she has made the character of Cilla one of the most colourful and memorable characters in soap history. We totally understand her reasons for wanting to leave and are grateful that she has given us so much notice – this means that we can spend time writing an exit storyline which will do her and the character of Cilla justice." Cilla made her final appearance on 12 October 2007. Peters later reprised the role for a DVD spin-off in November 2008. On 26 June 2014, it was announced Peters would reprise her role for