Sir Cliff’s sex claims hell in warts-and-all book
SIR Cliff Richard will tell how sickening false sex abuse allegations almost destroyed his life in a new autobiography, out later this year.
The veteran entertainer has penned the warts-and-all book to mark his 80th birthday in October.
Called The Dreamer, it charts his stratospheric rise from a humble childhood in India to pop superstar.
But it will also lay bare the unimaginable horror he suffered when bogus accusations were made against him in 2014. It will be the first time Sir Cliff – real name Harry Webb – has written about what he described as the “deepest and darkest hole I’ve ever been in”.
Speaking previously, he said: “It’s very difficult for me to explain to people what it felt like for me – to be an innocent, but having these vile accusations thrown at me.”
The star received support from pals including Gloria Hunniford, Elton John and Tony Blair but admitted he would take the pain to the grave. “I don’t think I’m ever going to forget this... if my accuser wanted to damage me, you did it,” he said.
Police investigated Sir Cliff over claims he had abused a boy under 16 at a religious festival in June 1985.
A raid on his gated home near Ascot, Berkshire, was broadcast live on BBC News, adding to his agony.
But the claims were found to be false and the case was dropped.
Speaking about his new book, Sir Cliff told the Daily Express: “I have a big birthday coming up and it’s nudged my mind... it’s taken me back to when I was blown away by Elvis, when The Shadows and I helped to pioneer British rock’n’roll of the Fifties, and of course to many decades that I’ve had enjoying hit after hit on my own.
“I’ve been a dreamer all my life and now I’ve got all the dreams together and they’re in here.”
Sir Cliff – who has sold more than 250 million records and enjoyed hits in every decade since 1950 – also teased his army of fans by revealing he will celebrate his landmark birthday with a new music project.