LONDON // British police interviewed veteran singer Cliff Richard, one of the country’s most successful entertainers, on Saturday in connection with an alleged historic sex crime.
Sir Cliff, a household name in Britain since the 1950s through hits such as “Living Doll” and “Devil Woman”, met officers voluntarily and was interviewed under caution. He was not arrested or charged.
The interview came after his luxury apartment in Sunningdale, Berkshire, southern England, was last week searched by police over “an allegation of a sexual nature” involving a boy under 16 dating back to the 1980s.
British media have reported that it relates to an alleged incident at a rally by US preacher Billy Graham in Sheffield, northern England, in 1985.
The 73-year-old has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
After Sir Cliff was interviewed, his spokesman said: “He cooperated 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 cooperate fully with the police, it would not be appropriate for Sir Cliff to say anything further at this time.”
The probe is not connected to Operation Yewtree, the investigation launched by Scotland Yard into abuse by the late BBC television and radio presenter Jimmy Savile and a string of other aging celebrities.
But the publicity surrounding the case of Savile, who died in 2011, has led to a surge in allegations of historic sex abuse.
Australian entertainer Rolf Harris, 84, was found guilty in June of indecent assaults against four girls and jailed for five years and nine months for offences between 1968 and 1986.
Sir Cliff has sold more than 250 million records over his career with number one singles in five decades and is nicknamed the Peter Pan of Pop for his youthful looks.
Known for his clean-living, Christian lifestyle, Sir Cliff was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1995 and performed at a concert marking 60 years of her reign in 2012.
His fans have rallied around him since the police search, buying copies of one of his singles, “I Still Believe in You”, in a bid to get it into this week’s Top 40 list of best-sellers.
Police say their investigation is in its early stages.
Sir Cliff issued a statement after the search saying he had not been given notice it would take place and denied the claims.
“For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulating online. The allegations are completely false,” the singer said.
“Up until now I have chosen not to dignify the false allegations with a response, as it would just give them more oxygen.”
* Agence France-Presse
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THE HOLDOVERS
Director: Alexander Payne
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Dominic Sessa
Rating: 4.5/5
Score
Third Test, Day 1
New Zealand 229-7 (90 ov)
Pakistan
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat
MATCH INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
UAE v Oman - abandoned
Oman v Namibia - abandoned
Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: Kevin Hart
3/5 stars
Get inspired
Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).
Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.
Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?).
Past winners of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
2016 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2014 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2012 Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2011 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2010 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2009 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
Disturbing facts and figures
51% of parents in the UAE feel like they are failing within the first year of parenthood
57% vs 43% is the number of mothers versus the number of fathers who feel they’re failing
28% of parents believe social media adds to the pressure they feel to be perfect
55% of parents cannot relate to parenting images on social media
67% of parents wish there were more honest representations of parenting on social media
53% of parents admit they put on a brave face rather than being honest due to fear of judgment
Source: YouGov
About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
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Based: Abu Dhabi
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Funding to date: Self-funded
TWISTERS
Director:+Lee+Isaac+Chung
Starring:+Glen+Powell,+Daisy+Edgar-Jones,+Anthony+Ramos
Rating:+2.5/5
ABU DHABI'S KEY TOURISM GOALS: BY THE NUMBERS
By 2030, Abu Dhabi aims to achieve:
• 39.3 million visitors, nearly 64% up from 2023
• Dh90 billion contribution to GDP, about 84% more than Dh49 billion in 2023
• 178,000 new jobs, bringing the total to about 366,000
• 52,000 hotel rooms, up 53% from 34,000 in 2023
• 7.2 million international visitors, almost 90% higher compared to 2023's 3.8 million
• 3.9 international overnight hotel stays, 22% more from 3.2 nights in 2023
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5