02/12/2018
Perhaps strangely, given his recent victory over the Corporation in a court case, Sir Cliff Richard will play a concert on Friday evening, 30th November, which is to be broadcast on BBC 2 Television and on the BBC's “light music” network, BBC Radio Two. Sir Cliff is marking sixty years in showbusiness, with his first hit single making the old Radio Luxembourg / New Musical Express Top Ten way back in 1958. Sir Cliff was investigated along with several other prominent men including broadcaster Paul Gambiccini and former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, in the “Operation Yewtree” project against historical abuse allegations. All these men were totally exonerated, and many commentators suggested that the internet whispering campaign against them was motivated by sexism and homophobia. Political columnist and LBC Radio presenter Iain Dale has written on this phenomenon in the gay press. Sir Cliff Richard has always declared that his domestic living arrangements are not for media speculation. He has however, told listeners to a Christian radio station that it is high time the church recognised the important contribution of gay and bisexual Christians to the life of the faithful. As a prominent evangelical Christian, Sir Cliff's support is important in building bridges to this often hostile population.
Sir Cliff Richard is one of only a handful of artists to boast more than one Christmas top seller. He was at the coveted number one slot on the BBC Radio One / Gallup Charts in December 1988 and again two years later.
