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"Sir Cliff, 67, also spoke publically for the first time about his friendship with the former Roman Catholic priest with whom he shares his many homes. He describes Father John McElynn, whom he met seven years ago, as his “companion”."
WOW
Well almost........
From Times Online
September 4, 2008
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle4675929.ece
Sir Cliff Richard calls on church to bless gay marriage
Sir Cliff Richard says he is sick of speculation about his private life
by Joanna Sugden
Once he was the bachelor boy, now he's the oldest swinger in town. But Sir Cliff Richard has rarely courted the degree of controversy likely to be provoked by a chapter in his new autobiography, in which he calls on the Church to give its blessing to same-sex marriage.
Sir Cliff, famously unbetrothed after six decades in showbusiness, claims same-sex marriages are a modern example of how the world has moved on. “I think the Church must come round and see people as they are now,” he says.
“Gone are the days when we assumed loving relationships would be solely between men and women."
The singer, who is a well-known pin-up for the Christian faith, has long been dogged by speculation about his sexuality. In his book he says he is sick of such rumours and defends homosexuality as a way of life.
“In the end, I believe, people are going to be judged for what they are. It seems to me that commitment is the issue, and if anyone comes to me and says: ’This is my partner - we are committed to each other,’ then I don’t care what their sexuality is. I'm not going to judge - I’ll leave that to God.”
Sir Cliff, 67, also spoke publically for the first time about his friendship with the former Roman Catholic priest with whom he shares his many homes. He describes Father John McElynn, whom he met seven years ago, as his “companion”.
The star who has sold more than 250 million records, reveals in the book how he met McElynn, a former missionary in the United States, on a trip to New York. Sir Cliff encouraged him to help with some charity work.
“John and I have over time struck up a close friendship. He has also become a companion, which is great because I don’t like living alone, even now," he says.
“People often make the mistake of thinking that only marriage equals happiness. I may suddenly meet someone and feel differently, but right now I am not sure marriage would enhance my happiness. As for my sexuality, I am sick to death of the media’s speculation about it.
“What business is it of anyone else’s what any of us are as individuals? I don’t think my fans would care either way.”
Sir Cliff says he considered marriage twice, to the dancer Jackie Irving and to Sue Barker, the BBC sports presenter and former tennis star.
He also writes in My Life, My Way that he was seduced by Carol Costa, who at the time was the estranged wife of Jet Harris, a member of Sir Cliff’s backing group The Shadows.
"Sir Cliff, 67, also spoke publically for the first time about his friendship with the former Roman Catholic priest with whom he shares his many homes. He describes Father John McElynn, whom he met seven years ago, as his “companion”."
WOW
Cliff's previous male companion went on to marry a WOMAN and they all lived in the same house quite happily for some time.
He's quite right, nobody really cares whether he's gay or not; I met him briefly once and he's an extremely nice man.
I used to work for somebody who had been a fan all of her life and her daughter -in-law was serving him one evening in a department store in Ealing. She was telling him about Carol as she served him and he told her to phone her so that he could have a quick chat (he was on his way to the Airport).
Carol was talking to a friend and, because she hadn't spoken to the said friend for some time, ignored the 'Call Waiting' beeps!
Oh, Boy - was she inconsolable when her daughter-in-law called her much later to tell her!
DS x.
My guess is that what Sir Cliff is doing here (and in his new autobiography) is preparing the public (especially his fans) for the announcement of his Civil Parnership ceremony (labelled 'gay marriage' by the tabloids). I would expect this to be a secretive, low-key affair, unlike that of Elton John, for example .....
It is pretty certain that Sir Cliff has been advised to do this (not for romantic reasons....), but by his hard-headed financial advisors, in order to to reduce the enormous taxes that would be payable (especially inheritance taxes) on his passing. Financial planning like this is especially important when one partner (Sir Cliff) owns subtanial wealth and property, but the other partner does not.
I remember the sad case of what happened to Sir Nigel Hawthorne's estate/property because a civil partnership was not an option at the time of his death ....
I wasn't sure what the above reference to Sir Nigel's estate referred to, but found the following link which gives details
WILL POWER CAN KEEP TAX GHOULS AT BAY - mirror.co.uk
name='julian_craster']My guess is that what Sir Cliff is doing here (and in his new autobiography) is preparing the public (especially his fans) for the announcement of his Civil Parnership ceremony (labelled 'gay marriage' by the tabloids). I would expect this to be a secretive, low-key affair, unlike that of Elton John, for example .....
It is pretty certain that Sir Cliff has been advised to do this (not for romantic reasons....), but by his hard-headed financial advisors, in order to to reduce the enormous taxes that would be payable (especially inheritance taxes) on his passing. Financial planning like this is especially important when one partner (Sir Cliff) owns subtanial wealth and property, but the other partner does not.
BUT.........Sir Cliff Richard is not gay so why would you say that above ?
I don't think there's exactly going to be a gasp of surprise the day Cliff comes out.
He seems a nice man - as long as he's happy, who cares?
Why are people so obsessed about Cliffs sexuality, is it because there's so little going on in their little humdrum lives? Whether he's gay, straight or swings in between it's nothing to do with us. It's a private thing between him and whoever his partner may be.
name='Wicked Lady']I don't think there's exactly going to be a gasp of surprise the day Cliff comes out.
He seems a nice man - as long as he's happy, who cares?
As a keen tennis man, he's played both sides of the net....so what??? What he has, he has earned, including a deal of respect from those like me who wouldn't cross the road to see him sing.....so I think the Wicked Lady is spot on.
name='Wicked Lady']I don't think there's exactly going to be a gasp of surprise the day Cliff comes out.
He seems a nice man - as long as he's happy, who cares?
Cliff comes out ?
Comes out his front door ? comes out singing ? comes out to do his shopping ?
No chance of Cliff coming out declaring his gay if that is what you are saying because he is not.
name='Amethyst_Isle']Cliff comes out ?
Comes out his front door ? comes out singing ? comes out to do his shopping ?
No chance of Cliff coming out declaring his gay if that is what you are saying because he is not.
No need to be defensive - most people on this site wouldn't think differently of him no matter what his preferences are. He is what he is, and the rest of the world will just have to deal with it, as if it's any of their (and our) business.
name='earlb']Why are people so obsessed about Cliffs sexuality, is it because there's so little going on in their little humdrum lives? Whether he's gay, straight or swings in between it's nothing to do with us. It's a private thing between him and whoever his partner may be.
I would say some are *obsessed about Cliffs sexuality* because he is living and lived a very long clean life since the late 1960's and therefore some people do not like the idea that in this day and age he has had no partner (for some time now ) and therefore that makes people question his sexuality and no wonder Cliff get's sick of it and indeed people do seem obsessed with it,sad really
name='Lord Brett']No need to be defensive - most people on this site wouldn't think differently of him no matter what his preferences are. He is what he is, and the rest of the world will just have to deal with it, as if it's any of their (and our) business.
Sorry if that it sounded defensive but no proof has been shown that he is gay,although press reports would and the first post above would like you to think otherwise.
name='Amethyst_Isle']Sorry if that it sounded defensive but no proof has been shown that he is gay,although press reports would and the first post above would like you to think otherwise.
Perhaps I'm being too charitable to the great British public - there is still a lot of homophobia out there. For a gay or lesbian (which isn't meant as a refernce to Cliff) to come out even today in much of the UK is still an act of great bravery.
name='Amethyst_Isle']Sir Cliff Richard is not gay
How do you defiitively know that, if, as you say, there is no evidence one way or the other?
theres a joke about cliff with the punchline "slipping into the shadows " but i think id better leave it .
name='Wicked Lady']I don't think there's exactly going to be a gasp of surprise the day Cliff comes out.
You're quite right.
The same situation occurred when Christopher Biggins came out - no one was surprised or shocked and everyone accepted it.
name='EHV_Emmetts']You're quite right.
The same situation occurred when Christopher Biggins came out - no one was surprised or shocked and everyone accepted it.
Well, yeah, but it's hardly the same is it? Biggins hardly played the hetero sex god early in his career, did he? He may not have been "out" but he did specialise in camp roles. Cliff on the other hand is a clean living Christian - with a huge following of middleaged ladies who want his body.
I think his positive remarks about gay marriage and tolerance generally should be welcomed - whether he speaks as a gay, bi or straight.
I think these days we do live in a far more tolerant society than even 10 years ago. Yes there is homophobia, but that is consigned to a few hypocritical bigots in the media.
name='EHV_Emmetts']I think these days we do live in a far more tolerant society than even 10 years ago. Yes there is homophobia, but that is consigned to a few hypocritical bigots in the media.
And, er, blokes who beat the living crap out of gay men leaving bars and nightclubs in every city in the country every weekend...
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