Cliff looks glum as probe takes its toll

THE strain of living under suspicion showed on the face of Cliff Richard as he waited to welcome friends to Barbados.

Pacing the paradise island’s international airport, the singer looked glum and stressed.

Sir Cliff, 74, has endured eight months of a highly controversial police inquiry launched when detectives raided his Berkshire home while he was abroad.

The singer vehemently denies historical claims of sexually assaulting three alleged victims, including a teenage boy at a religious rally 30 years ago. He has dismissed the allegations as “absurd and untrue”.

His mood brightened on Monday when two friends arrived on a flight from America. They are believed to be staying with Sir Cliff in his £ 3million mansion.

Previous guests have included Prime Minister David Cameron and ex- Premier Tony Blair.

Despite being under investigation, Sir Cliff has not been arrested or charged with any offence.

But he has been in “legal limbo” since South Yorkshire Police agreed to allow the BBC to broadcast live as detectives went to search his £ 3.5million apartment near Sunningdale.

The raid was linked to allegations by a man, now in his 40s, who claimed the singer assaulted him at a Billy Graham evangelical rally in 1985.

In February, it was reported two other alleged victims have come forward.

Sir Cliff has said: “I have never in my life assaulted anyone and remain confident the truth will prevail.”

The expanding nature of the inquiry was revealed in a letter by police chief David Crompton to MP Keith Vaz, the Home Affairs Select Committee chairman.

Mr Crompton said police were now looking at “more than one allegation”.