Gloria exclusive! What’s next for her pal Sir Cliff?
A four-year problem solved
Our agony aunt and one of Sir Cliff Richard’s closest friends was by his side when the verdict was delivered…
Gloria Hunniford and Sir Cliff Richards, 77, have been friends since the 60s, when he was one of the few big stars who agreed to visit Belfast during the Troubles.
Years later, when she lost her daughter Caron and grief consumed her, he was there for her every step of the way. So when he, too, faced his darkest hour - accused of assaulting a boy of 15 at a Christian rally three decades ago - Gloria wanted to be there for him.
‘I never doubted his innocence,’ she told best exclusively. ‘Not for a second.’
It turned out to take four years and £4 million of his own money to clear his name and get the courts to rule that his privacy had been invaded ‘without justification’.
First, he cleared his name against all who came forward to make claims, including a convicted rapist and an alleged blackmailer. Plus there was a bizarre allegation that Sir Cliff had rollerskated into a clothes shop in Milton Keynes, assaulted someone and roller-skated out. Under current law, the identities of Sir Cliff’s accusers are protected.
Then, against much legal advice, he was determined to take on the BBC, a huge corporate organisation – a brave decision.
It paid off. Last week, | the court ruled that TV coverage of the raid on his home infringed his privacy ‘without justification’ and awarded him £210,000.
‘I was in the court for the result, sitting behind him,’ says Gloria. ‘ We were all nervous, and it was a new experience for me, having never sat through a court case – and not knowing how it would go.
‘ When the judge found in Cliff’s favour, I expected him to at least shout “Yes” – I know I wanted to. But he did nothing. I was shocked at how emotional he was. I guess it was just a matter of huge relief.’
Asking how he felt the next day, Gloria recalls his reply: “It’s fantastic. I’m so relieved, but I don’t think I will ever get totally over it.’” Gloria agrees. ‘Maybe he won’t. He hasn’t
slept properly for four years – he’s been tortured about his innocence. Can you imagine?’
So what will the vindicated star do now? Will he try to change the law?
‘Oh, yes,’ says Gloria. ‘It’s a landmark case and it will change the way people think about cases such as his. Neither the accused nor the accuser should be named until a charge is made – and then both parties should be named. Why is it legal to make false allegations without any consequences? It’s just unfair.’