Cliff Richard is determined to top charts with Christmas calendar again at 82

24 August 2023 , 20:01

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Cliff and Gloria (Image: Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

Sir Cliff Richard is obsessed with his annual Christmas calendar going to No1, pal Gloria Hunniford says.

The Loose Women star revealed the Peter Pan of pop “is very competitive” and loves the fact his calendar outsells those of younger stars such as Harry Styles. Cliff, 82, topped the calendar charts again this year, despite deciding not to include any topless shots. Gloria, 83, said: “He loves it when his calendar beats all the young lads and is No1.

“It’s not for me to comment on why he’s covering up, that’s his thing. He has a very strict regime, lots of exercise. Hats off to him because when you see him on stage he looks 35. He plays tennis and is very competitive. He wants to win.” Fans can order his 2024 calendar with sales reportedly “through the roof”.

It has a cruising theme with him pulling an “aye aye, sailor” pose in January and dancing on deck in November. He said: “All the images in my 2024 official licensed calendar were taken by Robin Williams on a fabulously relaxing cruise earlier this year. I have grown to love cruising, it allows me to relax and regroup, sometimes prep for new projects, and above all, to socialise with friends who join me on ship.”

Cliff's calendar is always a hit (Channel 4)

Since his first calendar in 1979, sales have topped 1.5 million, according to his website. Along with Sir Cliff, Elvis Presley ’s calendar is also more sought-after than modern artists, including Harry Styles, Taylor Swift and Kylie Minogue - something he takes huge delight in. The late king of rock’n’roll was second to Sir Cliff in music calendar sales, according to Calendar Club.

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Sir Cliff’s 2024 calendar is now available for pre-order at danilo.com. Gloria is hosting an evening with Sir Cliff at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where they will talk about his career and no doubt his new calendar. Gloria, 83, joked that the pair will one day get facelifts together.

She added: “I always ask Cliff if he is ready to have the facelift yet and similarly he asks me and I say: ‘I’m ready to have it but I just haven’t got the nerve to do it.’ And then he’ll sometimes say: ‘We’ll go in together, we’ll get a package deal.’ That kind of banter is so fun.”

* Sir Cliff Richard In Conversation With Gloria Hunniford is at The Stables at Prestonfield, Edinburgh, August 26-27. fringeatprestonfield.co.uk

Halina Watts