Sir Cliff Richard Exclusive: Singer says he FORGIVES accusers over child abuse claims

Sir Cliff Richard has opened up about his decision to make peace with the four men who accused him of child abuse.

The 76-year-old singer spoke about his two-year ordeal at the Pride of Britain Awards, his first public appearance since having his name cleared back in June.

Speaking to Yahoo! Celeb the devout Christian said: “The first thing I did was forgive my accusers. I couldn’t have got through if I had hate and vengeance that was the temptation in the first couple of days.

Sir Cliff has forgiven his Child Abuse accusers (PA)

“Forgiveness is a very wonderful spiritual thing, you forgive someone and they don’t even know they’re forgiven but you’ve feel so much freer if you don’t have any hate for them. So that’s what I did and I felt God in my life very much so ever more than before.”

He added: “I didn’t ask God any questions and continued praying and thanked him for everything in my life. I have so much to be grateful for there was no room to question God.”

The Crown Prosecution service dropped the case, which allegedly took place between 1958 and 1983 after a lack of sufficient evidence.

The singer was never arrested or charged but is suing South Yorkshire Police and the BBC for damages.

Sir Cliff Richard poses alongside Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Joan Collins and Tom Jones at the Pride of Britain Awards (PA)

The We Don’t Talk Anymore hit maker said: “My fans have been phenomenal and all of my friends have been great.

“Nobody that I’ve met has ever believed the rubbish that has been said about me. I don’t know if I’ll ever forget these two years but I’ll get pass them.”

Sir Cliff is planning to release his new album called Just Fabulous Rock and has revealed he’s set his sights on getting in the studio with Lady Gaga.

He said: “I don’t even know if Lady Gaga knows anything about me but if she was to say ‘I’ve got this lovely song, would you sing it?’ I would be very happy to do that.”

Sounds like a match made in heaven!