Cliff was so tortured for three years but I never doubted him for a second, he is a good man

In Cliff ’s case nothing ever added up. The rally at which he was supposed to have assaulted someone actually took place two years after the accuser said.

While he was under suspicion, others came forward to make false claims, including a serial rapist and a blackmailer – whose identities are protected by law. And, ludicrously, someone alleged that Cliff had rollerskated into a clothes shop in Milton Keynes, assaulted someone, roller-skated out and then rollerskated back in two hours later to do the same again. Cliff had filmed his video for Wired For Sound wearing roller skates in a shopping centre in Milton Keynes and the accuser was clearly a fantasist.

Six retired policemen got in touch saying they were with him that day and he could never have been

involved. Someone thought he’d be a good name to pick out of a hat. And the results have taken a devastating toll on a truly good man.

Those of us close to him became very worried as we saw the physical toll it took.

But I never doubted him for a second and many, many people were hugely relieved when he was cleared.

Cliff has come to my rescue many times during our friendship with his advice.

After my daughter Caron Keating died from cancer in April, 2004, the thought of Christmas was a nightmare. Should I still send cards and buy gifts.

Cliff asked me if Caron liked Christmas and I said she loved it.

He said: “Then go for it. Make it bigger and better than anything you’ve had before. Do it as a huge celebration for Caron and her boys.”

And so we did. Her sons, Charlie and Gabriel, and the rest of the family loved it but, more importantly, it gave me the key to coping with all those significant events.

It was typical of Cliff that he should

Gloria’s daughter could also confide in the star