Cliff Richard carry Olympic torch

SINGING superstar Cliff Richard will carry the Olympic flame through the streets of Birmingham later this month, the Mail can reveal.
Die-hard fans will be out in force when the Peter Pan of pop swaps his microphone for a torch when the Olympic relay comes to the Second City on June 30.
Relay organisers have confirmed the 71-year-old will carry the torch shortly before 8pm as the relay makes its way to an evening celebration at Cannon Hill Park in Edgbaston.
And vowing to welcome the Summer Holiday star to the city will be devoted members of the Birmingham branch of the Cliff Richard fan club.

Fan club member Pat Denton predicted Cliff fans will “line the streets” for what will be a golden opportunity to see their idol in the flesh.
“I think it’s fantastic news,” the 63-year-old said.
“Birmingham is one of Cliff’s biggest fan bases, it has his biggest fan club by far so there will be lots and lots of people coming out to cheer him on.
“I’ve been a fan since my dad bought me a copy of Living Doll when I was nine.”
The torch relay will be arriving in Birmingham shortly before 7pm on Saturday June 30, where it will follow a route through the city centre and out towards Edgbaston.
The flame will remain overnight in the city and head back towards Victoria Square and along Colmore Row on Sunday morning before making its way to Solihull.
Young Ones singer Cliff is no stranger to Birmingham, after starring in the 1973 film Take Me High which was set in the city.
And an army of grey-haired followers queued around the block to meet the star at a DVD signing at HMV in November.
A number of faithful fans also camped for an entire WEEK to get their hands on coveted front row tickets for Cliff’s LG Arena performance last October.
Pat remains a devoted member of the Birmingham fan club, despite moving to Southend nine years ago.
She said she was secretly hoping Cliff would entertain the crowds with a song along the route – like the time the keen tennis player led the spectators during a downpour at Wimbledon in 1996.
She added: “It would be nice if he would sing a song or two.
“This is a huge honour for him as he is a big sports fan. Even though he has had so much success and wealth he has his feet firmly on the ground and is very humble.”

Cliff Richard 'thrilled' with Diamond Jubilee gig

Sir Cliff Richard has said that he is "thrilled" to be returning to Buckingham Palace for tonight's (June 4) Diamond Jubilee concert.

The legendary singer will perform during the gig curated by Gary Barlow and featuring the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Robbie Williams.

© WENN

© WENN

"I'm thrilled. I felt that I was maybe the only one who could actually sing my hits from all her six decades of being Queen," he told BBC News. "And in fact that's what I'm going to do."

Speaking about the Golden Jubilee concert that he performed in the gardens of Buckingham Palace in 2002, he said: "I heard Paul [McCartney] lean over and say, 'Ma'am, do you think we can do this again?'

"And if I heard correctly she said, 'I'll have to ask my gardeners'. Now, obviously the gardeners said no, because we're out in the street."

> Gary Barlow: 'London cab drivers hate me over Jubilee Concert'

On whether The Queen will enjoy this evening's music on show, he added: "They're so supportive of the arts in general, it may not be that pop rock is her favourite music.

"But she's certainly been supportive of us over the years and in return we've always been supportive of her.

"She'd probably rather go and see an opera maybe."