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Cliff Richard 'doesn't care' about gay rumours
Cliff Richard: the enigma
Cliff Richard discusses the ââ¬Ëenigmaââ¬â¢ surrounding his sexuality on religious show
"I'm an enigma and I love it. I love that after all these years they still don't think they know everything about me."
Sixty-eight year old pop star Cliff Richard has spoken to Songs of Praise about the enigma surrounding his sexuality.
The veteran entertainer, who has been in show business for 50 years, told the popular BBC show:
"This year has been a huge watershed in my relationship with the press.
When asked if he was aware of the media’s speculation on his sexuality, he replied:
"I know but I don't care, that's the thing,"
"I'm an enigma and I love it. I love that after all these years they still don't think they know everything about me."
It is not the first time Sir Cliff has sparked questions over his sexuality. Upon the release of his autobiography My Life, My Way earlier this year, he mentioned John McElynn, a Roman Catholic priest who has lived with Richard for eight years, who he considers a ‘companion’. In a statement which many deemed to be about his own sexuality, Sir Cliff said:
'I was trying to be very philosophical about a lot of things, including same-sex relationships. There have been changes within my faith, I was at one time quite judgmental.'
McElynn is the second man to live with Sir Cliff Richard after religious education teacher Bill Latham moved out after the pair lived together for 30 years.
Cliff Richard found fame in the 1950s, when he and his backing singers The Shadows recorded a string of hits. During his career, which spans half a century, he has scored UK number ones in every single decade.
Cliff Richard, who committed to Christianity early in his career and has never married, became Sir Cliff when he was knighted in 1995. He became the first rock star to be so honoured, ahead of Paul McCartney in 1997 and Elton John the year after that.
