Paul O'Grady thinks Cilla Black would have "been proud" of the new bisexual episode of 'Blind Date'.

Paul O'Grady

Paul O'Grady

The 63-year-old comedian hosts the popular matchmaking show - which currently runs on Channel 5 - and is sure the late TV presenter would have been delighted by the latest twist on the show, which she hosted on ITV between 1985 and 2003.

Paul is quoted by The Sun newspaper's Bizarre TV column as saying: "It was a joy to film and I'm sure Cilla would have been proud."

The bisexual episode includes beauty consultant Jordan, who must take her pick from support worker Lily, and male model Jesse.

In the past, 'Blind Date' has featured homosexual men and women, and drag queens.

And Paul - who started his career as drag queen Lily Savage, before going onto present mainstream shows like 'For The Love of Dogs' and his own daytime chat show - was delighted to see more diversity on the show when there was a drag queen edition in 2018.

He said: "I'm so happy that we have included drag queens on this series of 'Blind Date'.

"It's about time - it is 2018 after all.

"Having been a drag artiste myself, I'm very proud to be part of this 'Blind Date' first."

'Loose Women' panellist Janet Street-Porter recently revealed she gifted 'The Lily Savage Show' star her wedding dress - from her nuptials with David Sorkin in 1997 - to wear as Lily.

Janet - who divorced David two years after their big day - said: "I've sold quite a lot of my clothes over the year.

"I've sold two of my wedding dresses - the fourth wedding dress I gave to Paul O'Grady as an outfit for Lily Savage, and he wore it.

"Yeah, well I've worn Lily Savage outfits on occasion, I've got to admit to that too. It does work both ways."