Cliff Richard Says He ‘Could Be Dead Next Year’ as He Reflects on Touring Future
LONDON — Sir Cliff Richard, one of Britain’s most enduring entertainers, has admitted that his forthcoming Can’t Stop Me Now tour across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK may be among his last. At 84, the singer—whose career has spanned seven decades and produced over 250 million records sold worldwide—spoke candidly about aging, mortality, and the toll of life on the road, confessing: “I might be dead next year.”
The remarks came during an interview with Coast Radio, where the “Summer Holiday” and “Living Doll” star acknowledged that while music still excites him, the physical and emotional demands of touring have become increasingly “wearing.”
A Relentless Career, Now Slowing Down
Richard, affectionately known as the “Peter Pan of Pop,” has rarely stepped away from the spotlight since the late 1950s. His hits with The Shadows and as a solo artist made him one of the most successful British singers of all time, surpassed in UK singles sales only by Elvis Presley and The Beatles. Yet, despite his remarkable stamina, the singer admitted that his body no longer allows him to perform as he once did.
“I used to move around a heck of a lot,” he recalled. “There was a period when I would get four girl dancers, four guy dancers, and I used to dance with them. But I don’t want to be an 85-year-old guy trying to be 18 anymore.”
Richard insisted, however, that he still finds joy on stage: “I can still move, and that’s what I do. I’ve got two backing singers—two guys—and they can dance, act, sing, and play instruments. We’ll still put on a show. I just might scale it down a bit.”
Facing Mortality with Humor
When asked if the Can’t Stop Me Now tour might be his farewell, Richard responded with a mixture of realism and wit: “I don’t know. I might be dead next year. So I don’t even think about it anymore. It’s one of those things. As I get older, maybe I’ll become less able to perform, so I can’t say.”
The comment reflects both Richard’s self-awareness and his willingness to confront age with honesty. He explained that he prefers to “take things one year at a time” rather than make definitive retirement announcements, a route chosen by many artists of his generation.
From Rock ’n’ Roll to Gospel and Beyond
Born Harry Rodger Webb in Lucknow, India, in 1940, Richard’s family moved to Essex after Indian independence. He formed The Shadows in the late 1950s and, with their hit “Move It” in 1958, became one of the UK’s first rock ’n’ roll stars. His clean-cut image contrasted with the rebelliousness of Elvis and other early rockers, helping him win mass appeal in Britain and abroad.
Richard went on to enjoy chart-topping hits such as “Living Doll,” “The Young Ones,” “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” “Devil Woman,” and Christmas staples like “Mistletoe and Wine” and “Saviour’s Day.” His 1999 release, The Millennium Prayer, controversially combined “The Lord’s Prayer” with “Auld Lang Syne” but still reached No. 1.
Beyond music, Richard became a vocal Christian in the 1960s and has since blended pop stardom with gospel performances. A passionate tennis enthusiast, he is also remembered for leading the Wimbledon crowd in singalongs during rain delays.
Looking Ahead with Gratitude
Even as he contemplates the future, Richard made clear that his passion for singing endures. “I like singing now. I’m as excited now as I was when I came [to New Zealand] last time,” he said. “I’m sure the audience will see that we—the big band and I—are friends and almost a family when we’re on tour.”
Fans across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK are expected to pack venues for the Can’t Stop Me Now tour, many keenly aware that it may be the last chance to see the star live.
For Richard, the future remains uncertain—but he insists he will keep singing as long as his voice allows. “You never know when you wake up in the morning whether your voice is still there,” he said. “So we’ll just have to see. But for now, I’m going to keep doing what I love.”