Sir Cliff returns to spotlight after child sex claims 'blip'

Sir Cliff Richard returned to the spotlight an an awards ceremony last night and brushed off child sex allegations against him as a 'blip'.
Sir Cliff RichardSir Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard

Appearing at the Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards, to honour unsung heroes, Sir Cliff said the tales of 'success and suffering' had helped put his experience in perspective.

"It was nothing," he added.

As he walked the red carpet, Sir Cliff said he was 'bounding with energy' to be making his major first television appearance since an investigation into child sex allegations against him was dropped.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

South Yorkshire Police raided his home after claims that the 76-year-old veteran entertainer abused a teenage boy at a Christian rally in Sheffield in the 1980s.

He has launched legal action against the force and the BBC, claiming the two colluded to allow TV cameras to film police officers entering his home.

The star's name was also made public.

He said: "When you go through something like the last two years in my life, you realise how lucky you are really.

"That's just a blip in my life, really."

The Pride of Britain Awards will be shown on ITV at 8pm tonight.