Cliff Richard has been questioned by the UK police in connection with an alleged historical assault.
Cliff Richard, 73, voluntarily met officers and was not arrested or charged.
It comes after police searched his home in Sunningdale, Berkshire, on August 14 as part of their investigation.
Cliff richard denies the alleged offence, saying the claim of an assault at a religious event in Sheffield in 1985 is “completely false”.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed it had spoken to a 73-year-old man.
Cliff Richard has been questioned by the UK police in connection with an alleged historical assault (photo Getty Images)
A police spokesman said: “The man was interviewed under caution but was not arrested. He entered South Yorkshire Police premises by arrangement.”
A spokesman for Cliff Richard said: “Today Sir Cliff Richard voluntarily met with and was interviewed by members of South Yorkshire Police. He was not arrested or charged.
“He co-operated fully with officers and answered the questions put to him.
“Other than restating that this allegation is completely false and that he will continue to co-operate fully with the police, it would not be appropriate for Sir Cliff to say anything further at this time.”
The allegation against Cliff Richard relates to an assault claim at an event featuring preacher Billy Graham at the Bramall Lane stadium in Sheffield in 1985.
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A number of people have provided information after Cliff Richard’s UK property was searched in relation to an alleged historical s** offence, police say.
South Yorkshire Police, which carried out the search in Sunningdale on August 14, did not say what this information related to.
Police said the allegation involved a boy under 16.
Cliff Richard, 73, has said the allegation is “completely false”.
In a statement issued on August 14, the singer said: “For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulating online.
Cliff Richard allegedly assaulted a boy under 16 in 1985 (photo Getty Images)
“The allegations are completely false. Up until now I have chosen not to dignify the false allegations with a response, as it would just give them more oxygen.”
Cliff Richard said he would “co-operate fully” if the police wanted to speak to him.
It appears the allegation relates to an alleged assault at an event featuring preacher Billy Graham at Bramall Lane in Sheffield in 1985.
In a statement, South Yorkshire Police (SYP) said it had not alerted the media to the search in advance.
It said: “When a media outlet contacted SYP with information about an investigation, we took the decision to work with them in order to protect the integrity of that investigation.
“Since the search took place, a number of people have contacted the police to provide information and we must acknowledge that the media played a part in that, for which we are grateful.”
In his statement, Cliff Richard said the police had searched his home “without notice, except it would appear to the press”.
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Cliff Richard’s Berkshire property has been searched by police in relation to an alleged historical assault on a teenage boy.
No arrests have been made and Cliff Richard, 73, who is abroad, said the allegation was “completely false”.
Police said the allegation involved a boy under 16.
The alleged assault happened at a 1985 event where preacher Billy Graham appeared at Bramall Lane, Sheffield.
The allegation is believed to have been reported to police recently.
The search in Sunningdale was carried out by South Yorkshire Police.
The investigation is not connected to Operation Yewtree and police said officers from that operation – set up by the Metropolitan Police to investigate hundreds of allegations in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal – had been notified.
Cliff Richard’s Berkshire property has been searched by police in relation to an alleged historical assault on a teenage boy (photo Getty Images)
Thames Valley Police said it had assisted the South Yorkshire force with the execution of a search warrant at the property.
Eight plain-clothed police officers in five unmarked cars arrived to conduct the search.
Cliff Richard has responded to the police search of his apartment in a statement, which said: “For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulating online.
“The allegations are completely false. Up until now I have chosen not to dignify the false allegations with a response, as it would just give them more oxygen.
“However, the police attended my apartment in Berkshire today without notice, except it would appear to the press.
“I am not presently in the UK but it goes without saying that I will cooperate fully should the police wish to speak to me. Beyond stating that today’s allegation is completely false it would not be appropriate to say anything further until the police investigation has concluded.”
Cliff Richard’s spokesman said the singer would not be conducting interviews at this time.
The singer left his home there on Thursday morning and has travelled with his sister to another part of Portugal for a few days.
Cliff Richard, born Harry Webb, is one of the most successful British musicians of all time.
Sir Cliff Richard was knighted in 1995 and performed at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in 2012.
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Tom Jones will appear alongside Morrissey at a Los Angeles concert in May, it has been announced.
“I will be Morrissey Official’s special guest at his show at the LA Sports Arena on May 10th,” wrote Tom Jones on Facebook.
Cliff Richard will also appear as a special guest at a Morrissey concert in New York on June 21 at the Barclays Centre.
Missouri singer Kristeen Young will join the performers on both dates – the first confirmed shows for Morrissey since he abandoned touring last year.
Tom Jones and Cliff Richard will appear on separate dates in Morrissey concerts
Morrissey, who eventually cancelled more than 40 dates, suffered a number of illnesses while on tour including a bleeding ulcer, Barrett’s oesophagus and double pneumonia.
The 54-year-old singer is expected to release a 10th solo studio album later this year.
In January, Morrissey took a swipe at the music industry saying: “The majority of people have lost faith in the music industry… It’s all, now, solely a question of marketing.
“All success stories are safe and dreary, and you will never be taken by surprise by a hit song that sounds out of place.”
