I’ve managed to rise up out of a quagmire says Sir Cliff as he releases new album

SIR Cliff Richard is to release his first album of new material in 14 years, inspired by his legal triumph over the BBC.

The 77-year-old singer won £210,000 in damages last month after suing the BBC for breach of privacy over its report that he was being investigated about historical child sexual assault claims.

Thrilled

He has named his album after its lead track – Rise Up – to signify his mood.

Sir Cliff said: “I chose Rise Up as the title track because after the bad period I went through in my life, I’ve managed to rise up out of what seemed like a quagmire.

“I love the lyric ‘They’re never gonna break me down, they’re never gonna take me down, they know I’m gonna rise up feeling stronger’.

“It is always great to sing lyrics you can ‘feel’ and I really felt those words. So, I believe that we have the right title for the album and I am so thrilled in the way that it has turned out.”

He was speaking at the Abbey Road studios ahead of the 60th anniversary today of the release of his debut song, Move It. The song was recorded there and is described as the first British rock’n’roll hit.

Sir Cliff said it is 14 years since he made a record of original songs.

He said: “That’s quite a gap and I thought that was behind me.

“I thought I’d never get the chance to do it again and there it is – Rise Up is here.”

Last month the ruling, handed down by High Court judge Mr Justice Mann, came almost four years after the BBC broke the news that South Yorkshire police had searched the singer’s home.

Sir Cliff was never arrested or charged.

Friends

He appeared in court to hear the verdict, accompanied by his friends Gloria Hunniford and Paul Gambaccini.

Rise Up was written by Terry Britten, behind the lyrics of Devil Woman for Sir Cliff, and Graham Lyle who wrote the Tina Turner hits What’s Love Got To Do With It and We Don’t Need Another Hero.