Cliff’s New York bachelor pad
HE BUYS £800K FLAT WITH PAL JOHN
SIR Cliff Richard has bought a stunning £800,000 New York apartment to escape false sex abuse slurs back in the UK.
He splashed out last September and has now moved to the States where he cherishes the “anonymity”, according to close friend Gloria Hunniford.
The Bachelor Boy star, 78, bought the “oversized alcove studio” after shaving £500,000 off the list price.
The 730 sq ft flat was bought in the name of New York-born John Mcelynn, his long-time companion. But both names appear in the NYC Department of Finance, Office of City Register. They have been friends for 18 years with former missionary John looking after the singer’s charitable projects and numerous houses. Estate agents described the one- bedroom property as “in the midst of Manhattan’s coveted boutiques and shopping, finest restaurants, top hotels and museums”.
The star’s TV host friend Gloria, 79, said: “Cliff won’t come back and live here. He was very disillusioned with what happened. His place is in New York and he likes it there. Some people recognise him, but he doesn’t get it all the time like here.”
Cliff was devastated by false accusations of abuse levelled against him in 2014.
The BBC came under fire for screening a raid on Cliff’s Berkshire home. He later won damages from the Beeb and police.
A spokesman for Sir Cliff said: “There will not be any comment on what is essentially a private matter other than to confirm Cliff’s main home is in Barbados, as it has been for many years.”