Gloria thanks Cliff for Christmas gift

GLORIA HUNNIFORD has credited her close friend Sir Cliff Richard for helping her come to terms with the death of her daughter Caron Keating.

The Rip Off Britain presenter lost Caron to breast cancer in 2004 aged just 41 but thankfully she had the support of her famous pal.

Speaking to Woman’s Weekly the 77-year-old said: “Cliff’s loyal and kind. His counsel has been invaluable.”

She has been friends with the singer, also 77, since 1969 and stood by him during the three years he was under investigation for historic sex abuse of which he was completely cleared.

And as the festive season approaches, Gloria pays particular tribute to Sir Cliff who is almost as synonymous with Yuletide as Santa Claus himself having achieved four Christmas No1s with Mistletoe And Wine in 1988, Saviour’s Day in 1990 as well as I Love You with The Shadows in 1960 and as part of Band Aid II with Do They Know It’s Christmas? in 1989.

“The year Caron died he asked how I would manage Christmas. I said I didn’t know,” she recalls. “He asked if Caron liked Christmas and I said she adored it. He suggested I go bigger and better than ever before for Caron and her boys. I thought ‘Why don’t I?’ We had five Christmas trees because he gave me the licence.”

She adds: “I thought I’d never smile again. You almost feel guilty if you’re enjoying something but Cliff gave me the key, gave me permission. Cliff is like family to us.”