Cilla recorded an interview with chat show legend Michael Parkinson on December 6th 2005 for his Christmas Eve special...

Appearing alongside actress Martine McCutcheon and comedian Joan Rivers Cilla talked of the busy social life she has enjoyed since exiting primetime TV in 2003.

"...this is the happiest time of my life...I really am the happiest I can be without Bobby..." - Cilla

Cilla also explained how she'd now like to ease her way back into TV and exclaimed how she was "so excited" to be a judge on ITV's new talent show Soapstar Superstar .

The new show is hosted by Fern Britton and Ben Shephard.  The first of nine live shows will begin broadcasting nightly from Manchester starting 6 January 2006. Ten well-known faces from British soap-land will sing live for the chance to be crowned 'Soapstar Superstar'. The ultimate goal will be to win cash for their chosen charity.

Cilla will be on hand to offer her views on each performance, before viewers are invited to vote for their favourite. The two stars with the lowest number of votes will face another vote overnight to determine which one leaves the competition.