GLOBE columnist Peter Grant, who interviewed Cilla Black many times, reports from today's special auditions for a stage musical about her and he sees a lorra lorra Cillas in waiting ...

'Step Inside Love ... and do your best", was the message when hundreds of hopefuls turned up for the very first auditions to find an actress amd singer to play Cilla Black.

Liverpool - the place it all began for the Scouse Scottie Road superstar - was the first stop for the nationwide auditions to find someone to portray Cilla.

The producers are looking for a 'singing star' to take the title role in Cilla the Musical.

Hundred of applicants had already registered to attend, but many more were expected thjroughout the day to take part in the open auditions.

A queue whiuch started at 8am weaved around the Empire Theatre in Lime Street.

Talented females had come from Liverpool, Wirral and across the country - even as far afield as Glasgow and Cornwall.

Film crews and media from across the UK asked some of the hopefuls to do a rendition of a Cilla song.

Many obliged as a 'warm up' -  belting out such numbers as Anyone who had a heart  and You're my world.

A tough panel will put the wannabee Cillas through the audition process: Cilla's son Robert Willis (executive producer), Hamish Greer (producer, Bill Kenwright Ltd) and  Diane Belding (general manager of the Liverpool Empire).

Robert Willis said: "My Mum loved singing and performing ever since she was a young girl and she was determined to do what she loved.

"She was a natural born performer who lived to entertain her audience.

"We are hoping to find THAT person who also dreams big and has the talent to match but just needs the chance to show it.

"We can't wait to meet them".

Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield present this new  musical which will open in Cilla's hometown at the Liverpool Empire from September 7–16 before embarking on a nationwide tour.

Cilla the musical is an adaptation of the critically acclaimed ITV mini-series based on her early life written by BAFTA award winner, Jeff Pope.

Mr Pope also wrote the current ITV drama Little Boy Blue.

The story follows the extraordinary life of the ordinary teenage girl from Liverpool, Priscilla White, and her rise to stardom.

A spokesman for the Empire told the Globe: "Due to popular demand, the deadline for accepting auditions had been extended until the actual day of auditions".

Other auditions will be held on Monday May 8 at Edinburgh Playhouse, May 9 at Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre and May 12 at London Dominion Theatre.

So who will be the new Cilla?

One thing is certain it will be a huge welcome "Surprise Surprise" for the chosen performer.