Sheridan Smith

Sheridan Smith

Four further names have been added to the Cilla cast and will be appearing alongside Sheridan Smith in the ITV three-part drama.

Aneurin Barnard (The White Queen, Citadel) is to take on the role of Cilla's husband Bobby, and Ed Stoppard (Silent Witness, Branded) will play legendary manager Brian Epstein.

John Henshaw (Downton Abbey, Midsomer Murders) will play Cilla's father John White and her mother Priscilla is to be portrayed by Melanie Hill (Waterloo Road, Hebburn) - affectionately known as Big Cilla.

The series is to tell the rocky rise to fame story of one of the nation's most loved treasures, capturing 1960s Liverpool along the way and the near-exploding Merseyside music scene.

Young and unknown, Cilla dreams of one day becoming a star, meeting two men who love her dearly and even fought over her - her future husband Bobby Willis and manager Brian Epstein.

Cilla's friendship with The Beatles John, Paul, Ringo and George will be looked at as well as the way her relationship with the four shaped her career.

Sheridan's delighted about becoming Cilla and said of taking on the lead role: “I am thrilled to be playing Cilla, as she is a British icon. In the 60s, as a young girl from Liverpool, she had numerous number ones and sang with The Beatles, her life story is fascinating".

Filming is to begin this month and will continue through April, taking in Liverpool's most famous hotspots and landmarks including the world recognised Cavern Club.

Cilla is expected to broadcast on ITV later this year.


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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