Diehard Cliff fans show support over allegations
SIR Cliff Richard’s official biographer has revealed how he interviewed 350 people for his book – and not one of them mentioned any rumours of sexual abuse.
Author Steve Turner, who has known the star for more than 40 years, said not even his enemies revealed any hint of the sexual abuse claims against a young boy that he now faces.
He told the Sunday Express that he expects Sir Cliff to come out fighting.
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Mr Turner interviewed the pop legend’s friends and family as well as music industry insiders while writing Cliff Richard: The Biography, published in 1993 and recently updated in 2008.
One of those interviewed included Sir Cliff’s former manager and spiritual adviser Bill Latham who this week said: “I bet my life that the allegation is complete fiction.”
The 73-year-old singer is due to be quizzed by detectives investigating claims he sexually abused a schoolboy, under the age of 16, on the night he sang at an evangelical concert hosted by US preacher Billy Graham in Sheffield in 1985.
I came because I idolise Sir Cliff and I wanted to show him my support. I’m a diehard fan. I don’t believe the allegations against him for one minute
Officers raided his £2.5million penthouse in Sunningdale, Berkshire, last week, searched it for five-and-a-half hours and seized a number of items.
Since the search more people have come forward with information, police have revealed.
Sir Cliff is expected to fly home in the next few days from his holiday villa on a 16-acre Algarve estate in Portugal where fans have arrived to offer support.
Three generations of one British family were taking selfies outside.
The eldest, a grandmother, said: “I came because I idolise Sir Cliff and I wanted to show him my support. I’m a diehard fan. I don’t believe the allegations against him for one minute.”
At one point yesterday Sir Cliff’s close friend John McElynn, a former priest, opened the door to guests who arrived in a Land Rover. Laughter was heard as the guests were led into the house.
Sir Cliff emerged looking tanned, laughing and joking with his friends at around 6pm to play a game of mixed doubles on his private tennis court. He was wearing a red Portugal cap and white top with the number 72 on it.
Mr Turner said: “This has come as a surprise, a real shock, because for as long as I’ve known Cliff – since 1970 – nobody has ever accused of him anything like this.
“There was not even the merest hint of such behaviour, even from his enemies by whom I mean those in the music world who were not really fans of his music and didn’t really like what he stood for, this goody-goody image.
“I know Cliff will be hurting. He is very proud of his good reputation and would hate anything that causes upset to his fans.
“At the same time, however, he is quite stoic and has a lot of spirit so I think he will come out fighting.”
Sir Cliff proclaimed his complete innocence earlier this week.