Sir Cliff Richard plans to celebrate his 80th birthday next month by releasing an album of new songs and duets.
The veteran singer, who turns 80 on October 14, has written two tracks – Falling For You and PS Please – for the album, titled Music… The Air That I Breathe.
Sir Cliff has recorded duets with Bonnie Tyler, The Bellamy Brothers, Sheila Walsh, The Piano Guys and Albert Hammond, singing covers including The Beatles’ Here Comes The Sun.
He was due to kick off The Great 80 Tour this month, visiting Nottingham, Sheffield, Manchester, Bournemouth and London, but it had to be pushed back.
Sir Cliff said: “Looking back, I remember thinking that I wouldn’t make it to 50 and here I am at 80, and what’s even better than that is I have a new album!
“I loved recording it and hope you will enjoy listening to it.” Sir Cliff is one of the most successful musicians ever, having sold more than 250 million records worldwide.
A fixture in the charts since the 1950s, he is the only singer to have had a No1 UK single in five consecutive decades.
He has reportedly moved to the US after previously saying the BBC filming the police search of his home in 2014, following an accusation of historical sexual assault, left him emotionally drained. He was not arrested and did not face charges.