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 Black of Truth" (1998–2001), and "Surprise Surprise" (1984–2001). In 2013, Black celebrated 50 years in show business. British television network ITV honoured this milestone with a one-off entertainment special which aired on 16 October 2013. The show, called "The One & Only Cilla Black", featured Black herself and was hosted by Paul O'Grady. Black died on 1 August 2015 after a fall in her villa in Estepona. The day after her funeral, the compilation album "The Very Best of Cilla Black" went to number one on the UK Albums Chart and the New Zealand Albums Chart; it was her first number