Celebrating the Peter Pan of pop’s 60 years in showbiz with ITV's Sir Cliff Richard: 60 Years in Private and in Public
It’s hard to believe that it’s 60 years since Cliff Richard burst onto the music scene as Britain’s first bona fide rock’n’roll star.
This candid and emotional film follows the singer as he celebrates the anniversary.
As Cliff goes back to Abbey Road Studios where he recorded his first hit, Move It, meets up with fans and launches his latest album Rise Up, he also talks about the last few years – the dropped allegations of sexual assault and his privacy case against the BBC.
Pals including Hank Marvin, Janet Street-Porter, Brian May and Jimmy Osmond are also among those paying tribute in this rare and revealing look behind the scenes.
TV Times rating: ****
Here, in an exclusive interview with TV Times, Sir Cliff Richard, 78, tells us more…
After a tough few years, how does it feel to be able to move on and be doing what you are best at again? I will never forget the trauma of those years but they are now well and truly in my past. My latest tour has been a great start to my recovering from a very stressful time of my life. My family, my friends and my fans have shown me love and support and winning my court case against the BBC makes me feel vindicated. I’m back!
As you are looking back at 60 years in showbiz, what do you think have been the key ingredients to your success and longevity? I have had the most wonderful songs written for me and there is no doubt that the writers play a major part in my success. Constantly meeting up with fans plays a part in achieving longevity too and of course, live shows are the best way to keep in touch with them so I’ve always enjoyed the rapport and the excitement of that.
You have done so much over the last 60 years. What have been your career-defining moments? My first number one song Living Doll and my knighthood but also, still having sell-out concerts after 60 years. Who would have thought that could happen? Not me!
Which stars have you particularly enjoyed working with over the years and what made them special experiences? Elton John’s record company Rocket Records secured me my first top ten hit in the USA with Devil Woman. He was easy to work with and always supportive.
