First Blind Date couple to wed pay tribute to 'fairy godmother' Cilla Black

Sue and Alex Tatham, pictured with their children Charlie and Emily, met on Blind Date

The first couple to meet and get married on Blind Date say they will always remember Cilla Black with great affection.

Alex and Sue Tatham, who were introduced by their televisual "fairy godmother" on the dating show 28 years ago, said they would "never have met" if it was not for Black.

Speaking on the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme, Mr and Mrs Tatham said that despite their slow-burning relationship, Black always asked: "Do I hear wedding bells?"

Mr Tatham said: "I think she was very proud of us. We had a long and successful marriage with two children, Emily and Charlie.

"It's an absolutely wonderful thing to have done. She always kept in touch and always said, 'How's it going? How are the children? What are they up to these days?'"

"I feel a star has gone out today. She was part of our lives for 28 years. It's extraordinary to think she's not going to be here any more."

Mr Tatham picked "Sue number two from the West Midlands" after asking her, "What aspect of accountancy most interests you?"

He said: "Cilla got very involved in the pairing of the people on the show. So much so, that when I had some professional exams clashing with the original date I was due to be on, they moved Sue to make sure she was matched with me."

The pair were sent on a date to a medieval banquet in Co Clare, Ireland, and three years later tied the knot.

Black and her husband Bobby attended the wedding - which was broadcast on ITV the following day to 18 million people.

Sue said: "Cilla and Bobby were at our wedding, which was just gorgeous. We were thrilled to have them there, as they were instrumental in our meeting.

"She was just lovely. It was my wedding, my special day and while she was there, she didn't take the limelight away from me at all.

"She was just a normal guest - OK, she was uber-famous, but she didn't detract from my special day. She was part of the family by then."

She added: "She was glorious. So natural and so lovely to get on with. We'll always remember her with great affection."