Published: Thursday, 4th September, 2008 12:00
Bachelor Boy Cliff is still breaking hearts after 50 years
By Maxwell Kusi-Obodum
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Sir Cliff Richard
Pic by: Taline Jones
IT was not Summer Holiday weather but hundreds of fans braved the rain to meet their favourite Bachelor Boy Sir Cliff Richard.
The 67-year-old called into Woolworths in Broad Street yesterday [Thursday] to sign copies of his new autobiography, “My Life, My Way” as he celebrates 50 years in the music industry.
Fans were only allowed to get their book signed if they ordered a wristband with Woolworths limiting entrance to 750, but the store was crowded with shoppers and passers-by.
Fans started queuing in Broad Street at 5.30am, and by 11am hundreds of people were eagerly waiting his arrival.
Sir Cliff arrived through a secret entrance at the back of the store. He looked every inch a star in a bright red suit, smiling and waving at adoring onlookers who whooped in delight when they caught a glimpse of their hero.
He said afterwards: “I have had a fantastic day in Reading. It is always nice to meet my fans face to face. The turnout has blown me away and the atmosphere was brilliant. I hope everyone enjoys my new book”
Christina Francis, 60, of Speen, Newbury, who had been queuing since 8am, said: “This is just fantastic. Everyone said he wouldn’t last but he has.
“It’s 50 years but hopefully he’ll keep going for another 50.”
Jane Turvey, of Upper Woodcote Road in Caversham, said Cliff came to Reading 18 years ago for a gig but that she fell ill at the last minute.
She said: “My husband had to sell the tickets and I was really upset. Every day I have been dreaming that I will see him and today’s the day.”
Jennifer Egling, from Tilehurst, said: “He really is like the boy next door and very down to earth. It’s nice to see such a clean-living man as a role model.”
Colin Lee, 68, from Winnersh said; “I went to his first ever gig in Hammersmith in the 1950s. He’s a great entertainer and is akin to Elvis.”
Jane Quelch, 41, from Calcot, who had been waiting since 9.30am, said: “It was fantastic to meet him. I’m going to be shaking like a leaf for the rest of the day! It was worth it to meet him even for a few seconds.
“I came four years ago for a CD signing. I had more time then to take photographs, this time they were rushing you, and it was so crowded.”
Sir Cliff’s autobiography was published
yesterday (Wednesday) by Headline Review and he spent a hectic day visiting different shops.
Reading was the first stop on his tour of promotional visits. He will be appearing in Staines on Saturday.
Fans of all ages from tots in prams to grannies had come from all over the country to get their copies signed and were limited to just one each.
They had to apply in advance to meet their idol – even so queues began to form outside Woolworths soon after dawn.
As the lucky wristband-holders waited patiently impromptu renditions of their favourite Cliff hits broke out while police community support officers hovered nearby.
Other shoppers stopped to watch as the queue filled Broad Street. The star arrived 15 minutes late and skipped promised press interviews so he could meet his fans on time and stayed until 1.30pm when he had signed a book for each of the 750 fans.
Sue Brooks, 58, of Swansea Terrace, Tilehurst, had waited 40 years to meet Sir Cliff.
She added: “He just said 'how are you?’. I have waited so many years to see him but was disappointed I couldn’t get my photo taken with him.”
But Woolworths spokeswoman Francesca Colling said: “Time was limited today and the focus was for Cliff to meet as many fans as possible.”
Sir Cliff also celebrates the milestone achievement by releasing a new single 'Thank you for a lifetime’ on September 8.
Unfortunately some adoring fans were unable to meet their idol.
Sue Taylor, 56, of Tilehurst Road, said she had tried to get a wristband last Wednesday but they had sold out.
She said: “I was disappointed, but he’s such a popular man so it’s going to sell out fast.”
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