Sir Cliff Richard branded a ‘hypocrite’ for appearing on The One Show despite suing the BBC

The singer insisted his relationship with the BBC is "fine"
Emma Powell11 November 2016

Sir Cliff Richard was branded a “hypocrite” after he appeared on The One Show, despite suing the BBC.

The veteran singer, 76, is in the process of suing the Broadcasting Cooperation over the live coverage of the raid on his home following allegations of historical sexual assault.

But Sir Cliff joined Alex Jones and Ore Oduba on Thursday night’s show to promote his 102nd album, Just Fabulous Rock n Roll.

Addressing the legal action, Jones asked: "Now, this is a little bit awkward! We've never had a guest on the show who is trying to sue the BBC.

"Sometimes they've tried to sue us after the show, but never before.

Comeback: Sir Cliff Richard making his first red carpet appearance since the allegations were dropped at the Pride of Britain Awards
Chris Jackson/Getty

"A lot of people must be thinking 'Why are you sitting here on the sofa?' But what is your relationship with the BBC like?"

Sir Cliff replied: “I’m here. My relationship with the BBC is fine.”

Sir Cliff was slammed for promoting his album on the show with one viewer tweeting: “What a hypocrite Cliff Richard is. Sues the BBC, but goes on to plug his record on the c***** one show #bbc #cliffrichard.”

Another posted: “Oh What happened to Cliff suing the BBC for covering the raid on his house? On 'The One Show' tonight flogging his new album & tour....”

A spokesman for Sir Cliff told Standard Online: “The entire BBC was not to blame for what we suspect was a decision taken by a small number of people. We know there are many in the BBC who disagreed with their coverage and behaviour. Throughout Cliff’s career he has enjoyed an incredible relationship with the BBC and its people.”

Sir Cliff opened up about the "terrible, terrible two years" and said he never imagined the investigation would go on for so long.

“I didn’t [think it would last] because it was not true," he said. "The accusation was absurd. You feel like you’re in a hole and no matter how much you’re loved in the end you go to bed at night and you’re on your own and you think: ‘How am I going to get out of this? How am I going to escape from this emotional trauma?’.”

The singer - who confessed he never thought he would be the same person again - is calling for a change in the law to protect people falsely accused in cases of historical sexual abuse.

"I feel like I was collateral damage," he said. "Of course if an accusation is made it must be taken seriously but it shouldn’t be that the accused is assumed guilty.

"The Magna Carta says every single person is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We’re only saying just give people anonymity unless of course you can charge them."

The Crown Prosecution Service dismissed the case on grounds of insufficient evidence in June and he has received an apology from both the BBC and South Yorkshire Police.

Pride of Britain Awards 2016

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