Sir Cliff Richard has spoken candidly about his own mortality as he celebrates his 85th birthday today. The legendary singer, who shows no signs of slowing down, admitted earlier this year: 'I might be dead next year.'
In an interview with Coast Radio in July, Sir Cliff reflected on the challenges of touring at his age. 'The thing I would have to give up, probably, at some point is touring. It’s very wearing, and you never know when you wake up in the morning whether your voice is still there,' he said. When asked if his 2025 Can’t Stop Me Now tour could be his last, he added: 'I might be dead next year. So I don't even think about it anymore. It’s one of those things. As I get older, maybe I'll become less able to perform, so I can't say.'
Despite his age, Sir Cliff continues to enjoy a remarkable career. He has sold more than 250 million records worldwide, landed 14 UK number one singles, and is the only artist to reach the top five of the album charts in eight different decades. He was knighted in 1995, the first British musician to receive the honour, and has won two Ivor Novello awards and three Brit Awards.
The singer also revealed he follows a strict Blood Type diet, avoiding dairy, wheat, red meat, crustaceans, and several fruits and vegetables, in an effort to maintain his health. He discovered his passion for performing at age 15 when he reluctantly sang a solo in a school production of Toad of Toad Hall, which solidified his dream of a showbiz career.
