Sir Cliff Richard slept on the kitchen floor when he was accused of sex abuse.
The ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ singer’s life was turned upside in August 2014 when he was accused of historic sexual assault allegations by a man and, although he was cleared of all allegations made against him 22 months later, he’ll never forget the trauma he went through while the investigations, which saw his home turned upside down by police as they trawled through his property for evidence, were carried out.
Speaking on ‘Loose Women’ on Tuesday (15.11.16), he said: "The difficulty was everyone on the whole planet saw and heard what had happened to me. Will I ever be able to get to Australia to explain that?
"I remember coming down my gates at my house in Portugal and it was covered in yellow ribbons so I knew [my fans supported me].
"When the story broke, I had some friends coming to stay with me for a week, and they came over and we did laugh, it was comforting to have them all over there.
"No matter how much you get through the day there’s always that time when you go to bed and you’re alone. I don’t think I slept more than three hours a night. I was weeping, it was just like a deep well. And I got a message from someone that said no hole is deep that gods love is not deeper still."
And, although that the case has been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) because there was "insufficient evidence to prosecute", the two-year probe has made him reevaluate how he approaches fans in case he’s accused again.
He explained: "I try not to touch people too much – I’m a little bit wary. It’s happened two or three times when people bring children, their daughters and sons. I don’t know how to deal with this photograph situation, where normally you would hug them."
However, the 76-year-old star is determined to get over the ordeal and has decided to revamp his life by getting a facelift with his good friend Gloria Hunniford.
Looking across the table at Gloria – who was also on the panel – Cliff said: "We’re going to get a facelift together. I’ve been looking in the mirror, I am ageing. I only want a little bit done – a huge tuck up here. I have six lines, I want three!"
Sir Cliff Richard slept on kitchen after sex abuse allegations
