TV favourite Cilla Black helped a grieving mum overcome the death of her boyfriend by springing a special Mother's Day surprise.

Snooker fan Pip Garrett was mourning the loss of partner Ian Nelson who died after a lengthy cancer battle, when her twin children Mark and Samantha tricked her into going along to the recording of an hour-long Mother's Day special of Surprise Surprise.

Pip, the assistant manageress of Essex Snooker Centre at Tarpots in Benfleet, thought she was being treated to a West End performance - but she wound up being the star of the show.

The devious twins had arranged for Pip to be presented with tickets for the World Embassy snooker championships by Cilla Black and Big Break star John Virgo.

Pip, in her fifties from Benfleet, lost her husband five years ago and had been in a relationship with Ian for 12 months until he lost his fight against cancer.

The mum-of-four, who has 11 grandchildren, said: "It was such a terrible day when Ian died. I was devastated, but when Mark suggested a show, I though Ian would not have wanted me to miss out. He would have wanted me to go for it.

"When we ended up in a TV audience, I thought it was even better than the West End. I had absolutely no idea that Cilla would pick on me. I was totally overwhelmed. It was absolutely wonderful.

"When she called out my name, I must have looked like a village idiot. I was dumbstruck. I am half-dreading watching the show on Sunday to see how I reacted, but it was all good fun."

She added: "I can't wait to go and see the championships. Stephen Hendry was always my favourite. He visited the snooker centre in Tarpots when he was 16 and I've got a picture of him and me.

"Then he became famous so I've got a bit of a soft spot for him. I also like Jimmy White and, of course, John Virgo. It will be so exciting. I can't believe my family managed to keep it a secret. I'll never trust them again!"

The Surprise Surprise special will be shown on Sunday at 6.30pm on ITV.

Stunned - Pip had no idea she would be on the receiving end of one of Cilla's surprises

(Right) Cilla - had a surpise for Pip

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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