Sir Cliff Richard drags himself ‘out of the mud’ with new album plans

Sir Cliff Richard said he finally feels that he has come “out of the mud” following the highly publicised police raid on his home.

The 78-year-old pop star has previously told how the trauma of BBC coverage of the police search of his Berkshire home in 2014, following a claim of historical sexual assault, had left him emotionally drained.

Sir Cliff was not arrested and charges were never brought.

Now he has told LBC: “I think most people know that what I have been through has been pretty traumatic emotionally ... it’s been horrible.”

But he added: “I finally feel thaticameoutofthatmudand mire and I’m here again and I’m doing what I’m best at really and what I enjoy most. So, if I do sound more excited it’s probably because I am.”

Sir Cliff sued the BBC over the coverage and in July the judge ruled in the singer’s favour, awarding him £210,000 damages.

He is now making plans for the future, including the possibility of an album with Elaine Paige. “It’s not actually set it in stone, but we’re wanting to do it,” he said.