THE hit musical about Cilla Black with Kara Lily Hayworth in the lead role as the much-loved Liverpudlian singer is on its way to Darlington Hippodrome.

In the show she performs 18 songs, including favourites such as Anyone Who Had A Heart, You’re My World, Alfie, Step Inside Love, but there are also early Beatles songs, Gerry And The Pacemakers, The Mamas & The Papas.

"In essence, it’s a beautiful love story," she said. "It follows Cilla Black’s rise to fame, but underneath it’s about her relationship with Bobby and their journey.

"You watch how they progress and how Cilla becoming a star affects their relationship. It's not a jukebox musical. It’s a play with fantastic songs woven into it."

The show premiered in Liverpool which was a nerve-wracking experience before her rendition of Anyone Who Had a Heart at the end of the first act earned a standing ovation.

"That was an extraordinary moment that I won’t forget," she said. "It’s always a real high point in the show. It’s the first time the audience sees her really become a star."

When still at school, aged about 10, she actually met Cilla.

"I played Annie opposite Paul O’Grady and he was one of Cilla’s friends. I met her in a clothes shop and told her I’d worked with Paul and that I was going to be a performer when I was older. She told me it was a tough industry. I’ve still got her autograph at home in a frame."

Hayworth is clear that her performance is not an impersonation, though she has adopted certain mannerisms.

"The trick is trying to capture her essence. It’s my own take on it. Hopefully I’ve included little things that remind people of her without mimicking her."

Hayworth left drama school in 2010 and until a couple of years ago struggled to even get auditions. Then she signed with a different agent and her career began to take off.

"It was my agent who thought I’d be good for this role, but I didn’t think I’d have a chance at open auditions. A friend of mine was going, so we went together to just see what might happen. It just goes to show, you have to believe that things happen for a reason. The jobs you don’t get mean you’re available for the perfect role that comes along next. Like this.

Cilla The Musical runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday to Saturday, November 20-24.