Sir Cliff Richard has shared he has been battling prostate cancer for the past year.
The singer, 85, made the shock announcement on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, telling viewers the disease was caught early thanks to medical checks before touring Australia and New Zealand.
“Right now, it’s gone,” he said, although he acknowledged there is no way of knowing what the future holds.
Sir Cliff’s cancer did not spread to his bones or other organs, which meant treatment could begin straight away.
The Mistletoe and Wine singer used his interview with presenter Dermot Murnaghan – who himself is living with advanced prostate cancer – to call for a national screening programme for men.
“I don’t know whether it’s going to come back. We can’t tell those sort of things but we need to, absolutely, I’m convinced, get there, get tested, get checked,” he said.
Sir Cliff was clear men should not feel awkward about discussing their health.
“We need to start treating men as human beings who are just as vulnerable to this disease,” he added.
Sir Cliff Richard has addressed his cancer diagnosis
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PASir Cliff also reached out to King Charles, who revealed last year that he was receiving cancer treatment and has since seen positive progress.
The veteran performer said he be more than happy to back any campaign the monarch might lead to boost awareness around prostate cancer.
“I’ve been involved with many charities over the years and if the King is happy to front it for us, I’m sure loads of people, I certainly would join him,” he told the programme.
“If the King is listening, I think most of us would say, ‘yeah – we’re available.'”
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