Sir Cliff: I have secrets I’ll take to my grave

SIR Cliff Richard has admitted he is hiding secrets about his private life he will never reveal.

The biggest rumour that has plagued the pop veteran, 78, is that he is secretly gay. He never married and he has been sharing his home with former Catholic priest John Mcelynn for many years.

Cliff tells a new documentary: “I like the word enigma. I don’t think people should know everything about you. It doesn’t matter what it is, whether it’s about sexuality or whatever. If I feel it’s too personal then I say so.

“The minute you come into our industry the public are interested in you; not just your music, you. The only thing you have to be sure of is you only tell them what you want them to know.”

The ITV special, l Sir Cliff Richard: 60 Years In Public And In Private, also features his biographer, Steve Turner. Addressing the sexuality rumours, he says: “People would say he’s never married and shared a house with John. Therefore that must be a gay relationship.

“Unless Cliff said that, you’re just left with speculation. He’s said, ‘There’s secrets I’ll take to the grave with me’, and naturally they think – what are those secrets?”

The show also covers Cliff’s ordeal following an allegation of historical sexual assault in 2014.

He admits he wanted the case kept quiet, saying: “If they hadn’t named me I’d have survived it more easily but I’m not going to forget it now. Not only was I not charged, I was never arrested. If I was paedophile there’s no way I could hide it 60 years. It’s impossible.”

The show is on ITV on December 10 at 9pm.

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