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Dale Winton Explains Why He Missed Cilla Black's Funeral, Revealing He Was Filming 'In It To Win It' In Scotland

Dale Winton Explains Why He Missed Cilla's Funeral
Ashley Percival
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Dale Winton has explained why he missed the funeral of close friend Cilla Black.

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Fans questioned why the National Lottery presenter was absent from the entertainer’s funeral on Thursday (20 August), given the pair’s long-standing friendship.

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Dale Winton missed Cilla Black's funeral

But Dale has now said that filming commitments with game show ‘In It To Win It’ prevented him from travelling to Liverpool to attend the service.

His spokesperson told The Mirror: "Dale was incredibly upset not to be able to attend the funeral because of immoveable BBC filming commitments in Scotland.

"I know his thoughts are still very much with the family and he plans to attend any memorial should there be one."

Dale’s absence came after he told ITV News that he was "too upset" to talk on camera about the 'Blind Date' presenter's death, but went on to say he had lost a "true, trusted and loyal friend".

“Cilla was a dear and close friend,” he said. “Above all she was the most loyal person a friend could have. She was wonderful to be around, and caring, kind and happy. She was also a brilliant wife and mother.

“She was a true ‘star’ and a genuine national icon. My thoughts and best wishes are with her beloved boys and family.”

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Dale and Cilla were close friends for many years

Tom Jones, Paul O’Grady, Carol Vorderman, Christopher Biggins and Cliff Richard all attended the service at St. Mary’s Church in Liverpool earlier this week.

Dale was last seen hosting ‘In It To Win It’ back in April, but his return to the BBC show had many viewers raising their concerns for the host.

Worried viewers took to Twitter after the 59-year-old presenter appeared to stumble over his words, with others voicing their concerns that he didn’t "look well".

Such was the level of concern, that ‘Dale Winton’ started trending on the social media site.

Cilla Black's Funeral
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Sir Tom Jones arrives for the funeral of Cilla Black at St Mary's RC Church in Woolton on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. Singer and TV host Cilla Black died on the 1st August at her home in Spain after a head injury caused by a fall. She is best known for a number of hits in the 1960Âs and went on to be one of TVÂs highest earning stars with shows including Blind Date and Surprise Surprise regularly being watched by millions of viewers. (Photo by Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images) (credit:Ben A. Pruchnie via Getty Images)
The Funeral Of Cilla Black(07 of56)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Carol Vorderman attends the funeral of Cilla Black at St Mary's Catholic Church on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Sir Tom Jones arrives for the funeral of Cilla Black at St Mary's RC Church in Woolton on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. Singer and TV host Cilla Black died on the 1st August at her home in Spain after a head injury caused by a fall. She is best known for a number of hits in the 1960Âs and went on to be one of TVÂs highest earning stars with shows including Blind Date and Surprise Surprise regularly being watched by millions of viewers. (Photo by Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images) (credit:Ben A. Pruchnie via Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Bob Carolgees attends the funeral of Cilla Black at St Mary's Catholic Church on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Lorraine Chase attends the funeral of Cilla Black at St Mary's Catholic Church on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Carol Vorderman attends the funeral of Cilla Black at St Mary's Catholic Church on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Well wishers gather around a funeral car with a floral tribute spelling 'Cilla' in red roses before the hearse leaves funeral director's B. Jenkins & Sons on Church Road North in Woolton on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. Singer and TV host Cilla Black died on the 1st August at her home in Spain after a head injury caused by a fall. She is best known for a number of hits in the 1960Âs and went on to be one of TVÂs highest earning stars with shows including Blind Date and Surprise Surprise regularly being watched by millions of viewers. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: A well wisher places a flower on the funeral car carrying Cilla Black's hearse before it leaves funeral director's B. Jenkins & Sons on Church Road North in Woolton on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. Singer and TV host Cilla Black died on the 1st August at her home in Spain after a head injury caused by a fall. She is best known for a number of hits in the 1960Âs and went on to be one of TVÂs highest earning stars with shows including Blind Date and Surprise Surprise regularly being watched by millions of viewers. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: The funeral cortege of Cilla Black leaves B Jenkins and Son on Church Road North as it makes its way to St Mary's RC Church in Woolton on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. Singer and TV host Cilla Black died on the 1st August at her home in Spain after a head injury caused by a fall. She is best known for a number of hits in the 1960?s and went on to be one of TV?s highest earning stars with shows including Blind Date and Surprise Surprise regularly being watched by millions of viewers. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: The funeral cortege of Cilla Black leaves B Jenkins and Son on Church Road North as it makes its way to St Mary's RC Church in Woolton on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. Singer and TV host Cilla Black died on the 1st August at her home in Spain after a head injury caused by a fall. She is best known for a number of hits in the 1960Âs and went on to be one of TVÂs highest earning stars with shows including Blind Date and Surprise Surprise regularly being watched by millions of viewers. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Cilla Black's hearse leaves B Jenkins and Son on Church Road North as it makes its way to St Mary's RC Church in Woolton on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. Singer and TV host Cilla Black died on the 1st August at her home in Spain after a head injury caused by a fall. She is best known for a number of hits in the 1960Âs and went on to be one of TVÂs highest earning stars with shows including Blind Date and Surprise Surprise regularly being watched by millions of viewers. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: A floral tribute for Cilla Black is seen as the hearse leaves B Jenkins and Son on Church Road North as it makes its way to St Mary's RC Church in Woolton on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. Singer and TV host Cilla Black died on the 1st August at her home in Spain after a head injury caused by a fall. She is best known for a number of hits in the 1960Âs and went on to be one of TVÂs highest earning stars with shows including Blind Date and Surprise Surprise regularly being watched by millions of viewers. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: A member of the public arrives outside St Mary's Catholic Church on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. Singer and TV host Cilla Black died on the 1st August at her home in Spain after a head injury caused by a fall. She is best known for a number of hits in the 1960's and went on to be one of TV's highest earning stars with shows including Blind Date and Surprise Surprise regularly being watched by millions of viewers. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Thompson via Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Members of the public arrive outside St Mary's Catholic Church on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. Singer and TV host Cilla Black died on the 1st August at her home in Spain after a head injury caused by a fall. She is best known for a number of hits in the 1960's and went on to be one of TV's highest earning stars with shows including Blind Date and Surprise Surprise regularly being watched by millions of viewers. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Thompson via Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Mourners attend the funeral of Cilla Black at St Mary's Catholic Church on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
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Members of the public gather at the church prior to the funeral of British singer and TV personality Cilla Black at St Mary's Church in Liverpool, England, Thursday Aug. 20, 2015. Black died in Spain on Saturday Aug. 1. (AP Photo/Clint Hughes) (credit:PA)
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Members of the public gather at the church during the funeral of British singer and TV personality Cilla Black at St Mary's Church in Liverpool, England, Thursday Aug. 20, 2015. Black died in Spain on Saturday Aug. 1. (AP Photo/Clint Hughes) (credit:PA)
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Members of the crowd wait for the start of funeral for Cilla Black at St Mary's Church in Woolton, Liverpool. (credit:PA)
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Members of the crowd wait for the start of funeral for Cilla Black at St Mary's Church in Woolton, Liverpool. (credit:PA)
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Members of the crowd read a copy of the Order of Service ahead of the funeral for Cilla Black at St Mary's Church in Woolton, Liverpool. (credit:PA)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Members of the public arrive outside St Mary's Catholic Church on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. Singer and TV host Cilla Black died on the 1st August at her home in Spain after a head injury caused by a fall. She is best known for a number of hits in the 1960's and went on to be one of TV's highest earning stars with shows including Blind Date and Surprise Surprise regularly being watched by millions of viewers. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Thompson via Getty Images)
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Floral tributes are left ahead of the funeral of Cilla Black at St Mary's Church in Woolton, Liverpool. (credit:PA)
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Members of the crowd as they wait for the start of funeral for Cilla Black at St Mary's Church in Woolton, Liverpool. (credit:PA)
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Members of the crowd as they wait for the start of funeral for Cilla Black at St Mary's Church in Woolton, Liverpool. (credit:PA)
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A member of the crowd holds a copy of the Order of Service ahead of the funeral for Cilla Black at St Mary's Church in Woolton, Liverpool. (credit:PA)
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A mourner arrives carrying the Order of Service for the funeral of Cilla Black at St Mary's Church in Woolton, Liverpool. (credit:PA)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Well wishers gather before Cilla Black's hearse leaves funeral director's B. Jenkins & Sons on Church Road North in Woolton on August 20, 2015 in Liverpool, England. Singer and TV host Cilla Black died on the 1st August at her home in Spain after a head injury caused by a fall. She is best known for a number of hits in the 1960Âs and went on to be one of TVÂs highest earning stars with shows including Blind Date and Surprise Surprise regularly being watched by millions of viewers. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)

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