Sir Cliff Richard ‘was left a mental and physical wreck’ after child abuse claims, says Gloria Hunniford
VETERAN broadcaster Gloria Hunniford told a court of her friend Sir Cliff Richard’s mental anguish over BBC coverage of a police swoop at his home.
She said live TV footage of the raid by officers investigating unfounded child sex abuse claims left him a mental and physical wreck.
Gloria, 78, said she watched the operation at his home in Sunningdale, Berks, on TV as it unfolded — adding: “I could not believe what I was seeing.
“To witness it on TV in real time, with a helicopter filming overhead, together with the appalling criminal allegations, seemed beyond belief.”
Gloria said when she spoke to Sir Cliff, 77, he was “extremely distressed”.
She added: “He was utterly distraught. He’d always been the most upbeat of people. But he seemed broken and confused.”
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Rip Off Britain host Gloria said Sir Cliff remained in torment two years later after the probe into claims he molested a child in 1985 ended without charges.
His weight had plunged and he feared vigilante attacks, she told the High Court in London.
Cliff is suing the BBC for breach of privacy. Case continues.
