Sir Cliff Richard has revealed he has been quietly battling prostate cancer for the past year — a diagnosis discovered only after a routine medical check ahead of an international concert tour.
The beloved singer, now 85, said the cancer was detected during insurance medical tests before travelling to Australia and New Zealand — a moment that changed everything behind the scenes, even as he continued to appear strong in public.
Speaking in a deeply personal interview with veteran broadcaster Dermot Murnaghan, who is himself living with stage four advanced prostate cancer, Sir Cliff confirmed his treatment has so far been successful.
“For the moment, it’s gone,” he said.
“But you can never say never.”
A Diagnosis Found Just in Time
Sir Cliff explained that doctors were able to intervene early, confirming the cancer had not spread to his bones or metastasised — something he described as “good fortune” that could have ended very differently without early detection.
“I don’t know whether it’s going to come back,” he admitted.
“But what I do know is that men absolutely must get checked.”
His case, he said, underscores the brutal reality of prostate cancer: it often shows no symptoms until it’s too late.
‘Absolutely Ridiculous’: Sir Cliff Calls for National Screening
Using his platform, Sir Cliff issued a fierce call for the introduction of a national prostate cancer screening programme, branding the UK’s lack of one as “absolutely ridiculous.”
“We have governments to look after people,” he said.
“So how can it be right that we screen for some cancers but not others?
We all deserve the same chance.”
His comments echo long-running calls from health charities and campaigners, who argue that thousands of lives could be saved each year through earlier diagnosis — similar to screening already offered for breast, bowel and cervical cancer.
A Growing National Conversation
Sir Cliff’s revelation comes amid heightened public awareness following King Charles’ own cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
In a landmark televised message for Stand Up To Cancer 2025, the King urged people to take up screening opportunities when offered, stating plainly that early diagnosis “quite simply saves lives.”
Buckingham Palace later confirmed the King had been “deeply touched” by the public response, with officials noting a significant surge in people seeking screening information after the broadcast.
Sir Cliff said he would gladly join forces with the monarch to raise awareness.
“If the King is listening,” he said,
“most of us would say: yes — we’re available.”
‘The Biggest Cancer Killer of Men’
Dermot Murnaghan reinforced the urgency of the issue during the interview.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men,” he said.
“And the biggest cancer killer of men — yet there is still no national screening programme.”
In November, the UK National Screening Committee published draft recommendations for targeted screening of men aged 45 to 61 with BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutations. While welcomed as progress, campaigners warn the proposal would only protect a fraction of those at risk.
‘Men’s Lives Should Not Be Left to Chance’
Chiara De Biase, Director of Health Services at Prostate Cancer UK, praised Sir Cliff for speaking out.
“Prostate cancer is completely curable if found early,” she said.
“But men’s lives should not be left to chance. We lose 12,000 fathers, brothers, sons and friends every year.”
She added that Prostate Cancer UK’s £42 million TRANSFORM trial aims to provide the evidence needed to finally introduce nationwide screening.
Veteran broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby said the King’s openness — now echoed by Sir Cliff — was already saving lives.
“It takes courage to say, ‘I’ve got cancer,’” he said.
“But that courage will help thousands of others survive.”
Sir Cliff’s Message to Men
Reflecting on his own journey, Sir Cliff offered a final, simple plea:
“Go and get tested,” he said.
“It could save your life.”
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