'I try not to touch people' Sir Cliff Richard 'wary' of having photos with children now
SIR CLIFF RICHARD has admitted he feels "wary" about having photographs taken with children following his two-year ordeal in which he was accused of historical sex abuse.
Cliff Richard: I try not to touch people too much
The 76-year-old singer appeared on ITV's Lorraine today to promote his new album 'Just... Fabulous Rock 'n' Roll' and opened up about how being accused has changed him.
"I'm a little bit wary now when people bring their children," he told Lorraine Kelly. "It's happened two or three times to me when people bring their daughters and their sons."
Referring to the man who accused him, Sir Cliff continued: "This person, I might have met him, I'm not sure. But I don’t know what they turn out to be 25, 30 years later."
Sir Cliff Richard has revealed that he is 'wary' of having photos taken with children now
I try not to touch people too much. I don’t know how to deal with this photograph situation, but that will change, that will all come back
The Devil Woman hit maker added that he used to fling his arms around fans and their children for photographs, but he thinks twice now.
He explained: "I try not to touch people too much. I don’t know how to deal with this photograph situation, but that will change, that will all come back."
Sir Cliff spoke out about new 102nd album
Asked by 56-year-old Lorraine if the ordeal ever made him question his faith, Sir Cliff replied: "No. I felt closer to God then. Of course there were friends that I could turn to, but I could turn to God in the middle of the night.
"In fact I forgave my accuser on the second night because I said to God, 'help me forgive him'.
"It was a lot easier the next day as I didn't burn with hurt and vengeance. I don't know how people manage without someone like that to lean on."
Sir Cliff is pictured here with children at Hammersmith hospital back in 1991
Sir Cliff releases his 102nd album today and he also spoke out about the rumours that he'll finally be taking to the Glastonbury stage.
He told Lorraine: "I've read somewhere where they said I'd like to do Glastonbury, they've never asked me, of course they haven't. If they asked me I'd seriously think about it, but you have to think about whether you'd fit in.
"You'd have to think if I'd embarrass the fans...or me. Dolly Parton and Shirley Bassey have done it.
"Owners, feel free to ask, but I may not be available...and I'm not cheap," he laughed.
Lorraine continues weekdays at 8.30am on ITV.