Cliff Richard discusses why he chose to never get married
The Mistletoe and Wine singer made history last year by becoming the first artist to have a top-five album in eight consecutive decades. Sir Cliff’s impressive career has led him to sell 250 million records worldwide and become the third-top-selling artist in the history of the UK Singles Chart. But during one unfortunate encounter, Sir Cliff admitted he was embarrassed by his lack of composure when he met the Queen.
Sir Cliff admitted that he could have “never even imagined” being knighted in 1995 and considered it “the ultimate honour”.
He explained that receiving an OBE for his services to music and charity 15 years earlier was “a big deal and privilege” – let alone receiving a second, more prestigious honour.
Sir Cliff was especially touched after he discovered that knighthoods are “awarded at the Queen’s discretion” after the individual is nominated by the public.
He continued: “It meant there were people out there rooting for me, and this made it even more special.”
The singer was delighted to take his sisters Donna, Jacqui and Joan to the ceremony in Buckingham Palace – but admitted that he wished his father was alive to see him receive the honour.
Cliff Richard recalled an embarrassing blunder before Queen Elizabeth II in his new book (Image: GETTY)
Cliff Richard is the first artist to have a Top 5 album in the Singles Charts eight decades in a row (Image: GETTY)
Sir Cliff’s father, Rodger Webb, died from complications related to thrombosis in 1961 when the singer was 20 years old.
Ahead of the ceremony, he recalled how a courtier “ran him through his paces” and briefed him on what to expect.
Sir Cliff was shown the kneeling stool with a handle, located in front of where the Queen would stand and knight him.
The courtier advised: “Make use of the handle, sir.”
Sir Cliff was initially shocked by the comment and thought: “How old did he think I was?”
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Cliff Richard in 1995 when he was appointed a Knight Bachelor by Queen Elizabeth II (Image: GETTY)
He responded: “Oh, I don’t think I’ll need that!”
The courtier added: “I have seen people who are so nervous that they fall onto the stage, sir.”
He then firmly repeated: “I would use it.”
Later, Sir Cliff recognised the importance of the courtier’s advice.
Despite his protests, the star later found himself “gripping the handle tightly” and “slightly trembling” from the experience.
Shortly after the Queen tapped the ceremonial sword on Sir Cliff’s shoulders he found himself lost for words.
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Cliff Richard was due to celebrate his 80th birthday with a tour – it was postponed due to Covid-19 (Image: GETTY)
Sir Cliff recalled: “She didn’t say, ‘Arise, Sir Cliff!’ but when I stood back up, she put the chain around my neck.”
He then explained that the Queen told him: “This has been a long time coming!”
Sir Cliff continued: “And I said… well, Lord knows what I said!
“My brain had frozen and I mumbled some utter gibberish.
“She just smiled sympathetically – I think!”
Once the ceremony concluded, Sir Cliff explained what had happened to his sisters and admitted: “I felt so foolish.”
Alan Titchmarsh shows off topless image of Cliff Richard in 2010
He quipped: “The Queen must be wondering why she didn’t give it to somebody who can speak English!”
But later, the singer discovered that “many people” who met the Queen had suffered similar nervous blunders.
Sir Cliff recalled: “They become so overwhelmed that they can’t speak.”
He admitted that he had witnessed a similar reaction – but “on a far lesser level” – when some of his fans met him.
Sir Cliff believed he would have had the same experience if he met his idol, Elvis Presley.
The singer shared his embarrassing encounter with the Queen in his autobiography, Cliff Richard: The Dreamer, which was published in October.
Cliff Richard meeting the Queen, pictured years after he was knighted in 1995 (Image: GETTY)
He also revealed that he felt “snubbed” by Coronation Street’s writers when a character once described him as “chubby” on the TV soap.
Sir Cliff also delved into the difficulty of maintaining relationships, while in the public eye.
The singer, who turned 80 in October, was due to go on tour until it was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sir Cliff also recently suggested that he may not release another topless calendar.
He wrote: “I suspect I have done my final topless photo… I suspect it’s time to gracefully exit the Chippendales market.”
Cliff Richard: The Dreamer was published by Ebury Press in October last year and is available here.
— to www.express.co.uk
