‘Why I don’t plan ahead!’ As the new three-part biopic on Cilla Black starts on ITV1, we chat to the star herself – and actress Melanie Hill who plays her mum in the three-part series By Richard Barber and Angela Hagan hen Cilla Black was asked for her thoughts on the new biopic on her life she was quoted as saying it was “wonderful and “fantastic”. “I’m very flattered. I read the script and loved it,” she said. “It’s really a love story between Bobby and I.” And it’s the love of her life, late husband Bobby, who is very much on her mind as she chats to Yours in her London penthouse apartment. “I still talk to him in my mind. Well, to be honest, it’s mainly to complain. Gloria Hunniford told me that, after her daughter Caron died, she kept finding feathers in the unlikeliest places. They’re a sort of good luck omen. So, I was in my garden in Denham and moaning to Bobby about the fact I never found any feathers. And then, as I walked back to the house, there were five on the ground. He must have said: ‘You want feathers? I’ll give you feathers!’ So yes, I do think he’s still guiding me in some way.”
W ‘My husband Bobby is still guiding me in some way’
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And she wishes she’d had the benefit of his advice when she tried out a pilot episode for a comedy with good friend Paul O’Grady last year – which both stars decided not to pursue. “He wouldn’t have allowed it. He’d have pointed out that I don’t need it. Why would I want it? The answer, of course, is my ego. I’m a performer and performers like to perform. I’m a fool to myself, as Frankie Howerd was very fond of saying.” Cilla (71) celebrated her 50th anniversary in showbusiness in 2013 and certainly cuts an elegant figure. “I think I’ve earned the right to enjoy myself,” she says. “Because I’m worth it,” she roars with laughter. Talking of which… “I’m very cross with L’Oréal because they’ve discontinued Ginger Twist which is the hair colour I like best. Why would they do that? Paul O’Grady found me one on the internet and got it sent here from Belgium.” Cilla says she always knew she’d be famous. “Or, rather, that’s what I always wanted to be ever since I was put on the kitchen table at three years old and sang
From left, top: young songstress Cilla and Sheridan Smith who plays her in the new series. Above, Cilla with husband Bobby and Sheridan and Aneurin Barnard as the happy pair
Good Ship Lollipop. I can still remember liking the applause. I wanted more of that.” But it was a rocky rise to fame, a story told in the ITV biopic. Played by Sheridan Smith, we see a young Cilla working in the austere environs of the typists’ pool at a local company, dreaming of stardom. The drama looks at how she met the two men who came to love her and ultimately fought over her – future husband Bobby Willis and legendary manager Brian Epstein, the tragic young businessman who also guided the career of The Beatles. Her burgeoning friendship with John, Paul, George and Ringo – the four young men who went on to conquer the music world – shaped her career. The Sixties, says Cilla, were all about singing, first with groups from Liverpool like the Beatles and Billy J Kramer and then out on her own. “It took me 18 months to adjust to not having
the boys around me because they always looked after me.” The Seventies were all to do with motherhood which worked well, she says, around her TV shows. Then came two decades of Blind Date and Surprise Surprise before Cilla began to cherry-pick the projects that interested her – “and that didn’t interrupt my social life,” she adds, with a laugh. Melanie Hill, who played Aveline in Bread, no-nonsense Rita in Playing The Field and most recently, motherly Maggie in Waterloo Road, plays Cilla’s mum. “Her mum Priscilla was a big personality and quite a feisty lady,” says Melanie, as she relaxes on a quick break from filming the last ever series of the long running Waterloo Road. “Cilla is a legend in her own right. I know she became known as the queen of light
entertainment but what a lot of people might not know was that in the Sixties she was very edgy and cool with a beautiful voice.” Sunderland-born Melanie tells how she did a lot of research into Cilla’s life before taking on the role of her mum. “I spoke to people who knew her and her mother when we were filming in Liverpool. There’s a very touching scene where she bought her mum and dad a house; she adored her family.” Melanie says she wasn’t trying to mimick Cilla’s mum. “We decided I didn’t look like her and we didn’t share the same build so we didn’t concentrate on that detail. I went more on the relationship she had with Cilla. I wore a wig for the role because, funnily, her mum didn’t have red hair, she had black hair. I must admit it was great wearing all the Sixties clothes!” So what’s next for Cilla herself? She once told Yours that, by the time she hit 70, she’d have had enough of life. Now she’s 71, has she revised her exit age upwards? “No, I have a different philosophy now,” says Cilla. “I don’t plan ahead. Life is much better, I think, if you live in the moment.” ✢ Cilla is on ITV1. If you missed the first episode, catch it on ITV Player ✢ Back To Black, an authorised photographic memoir, is published by Evans Mitchell
Right: John Henshaw and Melanie Hill play Cilla’s parents. Below: Cilla with her real mum!
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❙ star chat ❙
Style
Anti- a
notes
NIGHT Turn back the clock while you sleep, with these reader-tested night creams By Beauty Editor, Michelle Nightingale
DRY SKIN HERO
The Yours Beauty Ambassadors Pat Turner, 65, Doncaster
Valery McConnell, 55, London
Sandra Moorfield, 69, Birmingham
Margaret Hobson, 58, Lancashire
Gill Dewy, 63, Bexley Heath
BARGAIN BUY Cien Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream Q10 The claim: Hyaluronic acid and Q10 protects the skin and reduces the appearance of deeper wrinkles, as well as preventing new ones forming. Pat says: This cream came in typical ‘no frills’ packaging and is by far the cheapest night cream I’ve used. It had a lovely consistency, wasn’t greasy and smelt pleasant. Once it was absorbed, my skin felt smooth and nourished and although I didn’t notice any amazing results instantly, it worked as well as other more expensive creams I’ve used in the past. Verdict: I’ve 4 recommended 5 it to friends as it’s such excellent value.
£15.09ml9
£14.95
3 0 ml Nurture Intensive Night Treatment Cream The claim: Contains pure retinol, Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to help combat the visible signs of ageing in four weeks. Valery says: I do use a night cream, but tend to buy whatever’s cheapest at the time. I liked that it was a tube, rather than a pot, as it was easy to use and was perfect for travelling. The consistency was a bit sticky, but it absorbed nicely. I started using it while on holiday and my sun-parched skin 3 5 appreciated the nourishing richness of this cream, but it wasn’t ‘visibly renewed’ as suggested. Verdict: For the price, I’d prefer something that wasn’t sticky and had a nicer scent.
STOCKISTS: Aldi 0800 042 0800; Botanics available at Boots 0845 609 0055 www.boots.com; Cien available at Lidl 0870 444 1234 www.lidl.co.uk; Nip+Fab 0207 352 5380 www.nipandfab.com; Nurture 0800 072 9510 www. nurtureskincare.co.uk. Details correct at time of going to press.
- ageing
5 REASONS TO USE A NIGHT CREAM
CREAMS on test
RUNNER UP
WRINKLE FIGHTER
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WINNER
ANTI-AGEING ALL-ROUNDER Aldi Lacura Expert Night Cream Anti-Age The claim: With anti-ageing ingredient of the moment, Mimox X, as well as shea butter and Abyssinian oil, this works to firm skin and reduce wrinkles. Sandra says: The packaging is very upmarket so I was surprised to see it was from Aldi and inexpensive. It felt luxurious and, although it took a while to sink in, my skin instantly felt soft and nourished, looked fresher, and the lines around my eyes more plumped out. It’s full of anti-ageing ingredients found in more expensive products so is great value. Verdict: I’m already an Aldi shopper, so was pleased how well this cream performed – I’ve even had a few compliments about my skin since using it.
4.5 5
Nip+Fab Viper Venom Extreme Night Fix The claim: Specially formulated with retinol and Syn-ake to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as plumping the skin while you sleep. Margaret says: I don’t regularly use a night cream because I worry they’ll be too heavy on my skin, so I was pleased this night cream wasn’t too thick. It wasn’t greasy, absorbed quickly and had a nice fresh scent. I can’t say I noticed any instant benefits, but soon after I started the test I noticed the wrinkles on my forehead and my crows’ feet have really improved. While the price isn’t cheap, I feel it’s worth the money because it works, even in a short space of time. Verdict: Not too rich or heavy – I’ll definitely be adding this product to my routine.
5 £1950.m9l
SKIN SOFTENER Botanics Firming Night Cream Triple Age Renewal The claim: Contains a combination of natural flower extracts plus anti-ageing ingredients to help your skin stay younger looking. Gill says: I was surprised how light this cream felt and wrongly assumed this meant it wouldn’t l m 50 benefit my skin. Actually, I only needed to use a tiny amount and, unlike many anti-ageing products, it wasn’t greasy. Straight away my skin felt lovely and smooth. I can’t say my lines have improved, but my skin does feel firmer and softer. Verdict: Great value for money as it would last for 4 5 ages and is a lovely product to use.
£8.49
✢ THANKS AND GOODBYE. We’d like to say a huge thank you and goodbye to our lovely testing panel who’ve been hard at work all year so that we can share with you the anti-ageing products that are worth buying. Don’t miss our October 28 issue, when we’ll be revealing our Anti-ageing Beauty Awards 2014 winners and introducing our new panel of testers!
✢ NEXT ISSUE Want to look years younger in an instant ? Our experts tell you how!
Anti-ageing beauty buys from £1!
r Looking younge fortune needn’t cost a geo us with these gorall under t h ves
Missed our feature on... anti-ageing budget buys?
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1. Many experts believe your skin regenerates more efficiently overnight so it can benefit from different anti-ageing ingredients. 2. Day creams tend to include SPF, which is great for staying sun-safe during the day, but provides an unnecessary barrier at night. 3. Day creams are often lighter so they work better under make-up, whereas night creams are usually richer and tend to be more nourishing and hydrating. 4. Many well-researched anti-ageing ingredients, including retinol, increase sensitivity to the sun so are best used at night. 5 . Similarly, ingredients like Vitamin C degrade in sunlight so they work more effectively at night.
Too hot to handle!
DIFFICULTY RATING
★★★
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NASSIMA ROTHACKER
Combine function and beauty with these pretty and practical oven mitts – an essential for any kitchen
Instructions: For the main oblong glove cut four rectangles, each 80x25cm (31½x10in), as follows: two from the main fabric, one from insulated wadding and one from ordinary polyester wadding. For the mitt pieces cut six pieces, each 25x25cm (10x10in), as follows: four from the contrast fabric and two from ordinary polyester wadding. (Note that these pieces are somewhat larger than the finished pieces, in order to accommodate movement or slipping of fabric layers during quilting). Using the pattern pieces (see templates opposite), dressmakers’ pattern paper and chalk, transfer the oblong shape onto the right side of the rectangular fabric pieces, but don’t cut around it yet. Repeat to transfer the mitt shapes onto the square fabric pieces. On one of the oblong shapes and two of the mitt shapes, mark the stitch guides for the quilting using a quilting ruler to help you get the lines parallel.
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Measurements 70x18cm (27½x7in)
Materials
✢ 50cm (5/8yd) of main fabric (any width) such as medium-weight linen, cotton linen mix, lightweight furnishing fabric ✢ Quilting cotton ✢ 30cm (3/8yd) of contrast fabric, 98
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as above ✢ 50cm (5/8yd) of insulated wadding ✢ 30cm (3/8yd) of polyester wadding ✢ Dressmakers’ pattern paper and chalk pencil ✢ 2m (22/8yd) of 25mm (1in) bias binding ✢ Coordinating thread ✢ Walking foot on sewing machine
Place the unmarked oblong piece wrong side up and lay the insulated wadding piece on top of it with the shinier side down. Place the ordinary wadding on top of that and finally place the marked oblong
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& craft pinning the first edge Top tip Wheen bi nding to the glove, of th e
Ovenglove te mplate s
th stretch it a little around n he curves to reduce bulk w e ac you come to sew it in pl
fabric piece on top. Pin all these layers together using long quilting pins or safety pins. Repeat this process for the two small glove back sections, omitting the insulated wadding, which is not needed for the back of the glove.
Use these as a guide to help you mark out the main oblong glove and the two mitt pieces. Make sure you stick to the measurements given in the relevant steps.
with wrong sides facing. Turn in the raw edges to hide them and top-stitch to secure them. Fold the strip in half and pin in the centre of one of the oblong sections as shown. Handtack it in place with a few stitches. Place the oblong section flat and lay the mitt sections on top, with the ladder-stitched side of the binding underneath. Pin them together around the edges.
To create the quilting attach the walking foot to your sewing machine and stitch through all the layers on all three pieces, following your marked stitching lines.
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Following the outlines you transferred in Step 1, cut out the oblong section and the two mitt sections. Pin the layers together around the edges at short intervals (or handtack if you wish, about 2cm (¾in) from the edge).
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To make the hanging loop, cut a 10cm (4in) strip of bias binding, fold and press in half lengthways
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St ylish kitchen apron The per fect project keen cooks
for
Fold the binding over to the underside of the glove and hand-stitch in place with ladder stitch (instead of topstitching as usual), ensuring that you fold it over far enough to cover the line of machine stitching.
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To finish the gloves press out the seams with a steam iron.
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✢ Learn to Sew with Lauren by Lauren Guthrie, published by Mitchell Beazley, £25, www. octopusbooks.co.uk
✢ NEXT ISSUE Make pretty paper pinks that will last right through winter!
For more creative sewing ideas visit...
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Apply the bias binding along the straight edges of the mitt sections, but instead of top-stitching the second edge of the binding, hand-stitch it to the underside of the mitt using ladder stitch.
Attach the bias binding around the outer edge of the glove, mitt sections on top, catching the hanging loop and joining the binding ends. Fold binding over to the underside of the glove, hand-stitch in place with ladder stitch, ensuring that the binding edge covers the machine stitching.
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Quick and easy
quiches
Smoked Salmon and Parsley Quiche Fresh parsley and smoked salmon make a perfect pair Preparation time: 30 minutes plus chilling Cooking time: 30 minutes
n 225g (7½oz) plain flour n 100g (3½oz) unsalted butter, diced n 25g (1oz) grated Parmesan n Half a handful of chopped parsley n 2 medium eggs, plus 1 medium egg yolk n 200ml (7fl oz) low-fat 90
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soured cream n Large handful of parsley, coarsely chopped n Zest of 1 lemon n 50g (2oz) capers, rinsed n 200g (7oz) chopped oak-smoked salmon 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas
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Tasty savoury quiches, perfect for any mealtime
Serves 4
Per serving 415 cals
Fat 25g
Sat fat 13g
Mark 6. Mix flour and butter to resemble fine breadcrumbs. Add the Parmesan, parsley and 4 tbsp water, then knead until the pastry comes together. Wrap in cling film and chill for 20 minutes. 2. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use to line a greased tart case. Line the pastry with baking paper and fill with
Top Tip It's not essential to add salt at step 3 as the smoked salmon is quite salty
baking beans. Blind bake for 10 minutes. Remove paper and beans. Bake for a further 5 minutes. 3. Whisk the eggs and extra yolk in a bowl with the soured cream, season with pepper. Stir in the parsley, lemon zest and capers. 4. Scatter salmon over the pastry, pour over the filling. Bake for 35 mins, until set. © www.freshlivingherbs.co.uk
Leek and Asparagus Quiche A fresh, green treat with a mustard punch Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes n 500g (1lb) block of readymade short-crust pastry n 15g (½oz) unsalted butter n 2 leeks, thinly sliced n 100g (3½oz) asparagus tips n 3 eggs n 120g (4oz) Greek-style natural yogurt n 240ml (8¼ fl oz) double cream n 120g (4oz) strong Cheddar, grated n Salt and pepper n Pinch of English mustard powder 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6. Grease a large tart case, and roll out the pastry to 5cm (2in) larger than the case. Drape the pastry over, then carefully push into the case. Trim any excess and chill for 20-30 minutes.
Serves 6-8
Per serving 597 cals
Fat 47g
Top Tip Leftover pastry? Use it to make jam tarts!
Sat fat 16g
2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small pan and add the leeks, stirring occasionally until soft. Cook the asparagus tips in boiling water for 5 minutes until tender. Drain immediately and keep in cold water. 3. Bake the pastry case blind by placing a large piece of greaseproof paper in the centre
and filling with baking beans. Bake for 20 minutes until golden. 4. Beat the eggs, adding yogurt and cream, then whisk together
with the cheese and seasoning. 5. Leave the baked pastry to cool slightly before adding the filling. Layer the base with cooked leeks, half the egg mixture, and then the asparagus. Finish with the remaining egg mixture. 6. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the filling is golden and set in the middle. Leave to cool slightly before serving. © www.rachelsorganic.co.uk
Tenderstem Broccoli and Bacon Quiche Make with quick-cook, sweet broccoli for a fabulous flan Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 50 minutes
n 500g (1lb) shortcrust pastry n 1 tbsp olive oil n 100g (3½oz) bacon lardons n 1 garlic clove, finely chopped n 350g (12oz) tenderstem broccoli n 4 eggs n 200ml (7fl oz) double cream n Salt and cracked black pepper 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6. 2. Roll out the pastry and line
Serves 6
Per serving 674 cals
Fat 51g
Sat fat 21g
a 16cm (6½in) spring-form tin. Prick the base of the pastry and then chill in the fridge. 3. Fry the lardons in oil until almost crisp. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly. 4. Sprinkle lardons and garlic over the base of the pastry (no need to blind bake the case first). Fill the case with tenderstem broccoli. 5. Beat the eggs and cream then season to taste. Pour the mixture into the case. 6. Bake in the middle of the oven for 45 minutes or until set. © www.tenderstem.co.uk YOURS
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mfrom y lessons life… Dawn French, currently on tour with her one-woman show, chats to Yours about the people who have inspired her What can I say about my mum? She reminded me a bit of an older Judi Dench, quite twinkly and pretty. In fact, I saw Judi recently and it was all I could do not to kiss her face off. Mum was someone you would want on your team, a ferocious advocate for the underdog, a monster love truck with eight reserve tanks, if you should need it. When we finally lost her and I had to step out into the reality of being the mother now and not the daughter any more, because of her amazing guidance, lo and behold, I found that I could, I can.
✢ The truth about my weight loss When I opted for a hysterectomy, the surgeon explained that I could have a major operation from which it would take three months to recover or a procedure involving keyhole surgery from which it would take three weeks. But, if I chose the latter route, I’d need to lose a lot of weight. So I shed seven-and-a-half stone through low-cal eating and loads of walking for weeks on end. It was grim but it was necessary. So you can forget any nonsense you may have read about a gastric band. 146
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Dawn has happy childhood memories of her mum (left) and sweets on Saturdays
✢ Good dads are precious Dad gave me my confidence, my armour, and I’ve been wearing it ever since. I’m a massive fan of good dads. Be in no doubt that your darling daughters will measure every significant male in their lives by you. Be someone who aspires to be loved, someone who’s decent and kind and cheerful and understanding and generous and funny and selfless. So, no pressure then.
✢ Sweets were a treat
her bag and slowly savour every last taste. Then she’d put her bag away before eating another sweet the next night and so on through the week. I think it was a lesson in frugality and self-control – something I have yet to learn.
✢ Childhood imaginations are fantastic When I was about seven or eight, I had three ambitions. I wanted to be a prima ballerina, a bridesmaid and a pop star – and I was hell-bent on all three. How wonderful it was to have imagination without any limitation whatsoever, to be absolutely assured that to become a prodigiously gifted ballerina, for instance, was well within my reach! It never crossed my mind that I didn’t have the perfect body for ballet. ✢ Dawn was talking to Richard Barber ✢ Dawn’s one-woman show, Thirty Million Minutes, tours until Dec 6. Visit www.dawnfrenchontour.com for more details
A big family tradition when I was growing up was a packet of sweets each on a Saturday. WHAT MADE YOU WHO YOU Dad, my brother Gary and I ARE TODAY? would hungrily devour the My family. We are all the product of our families. whole lot at one sitting as we I stand around in my favourite black boots, but I sat watching the wrestling walk in the footsteps of all who went before me. on TV. Not Mum. She’d take I’m made of all of them and all of them had their one raspberry ruffle out of own accomplishments. I try never to forget that.
PICS: ALAMY; REX FEATURES
✢ My mum’s guidance was amazing