Sir Cliff Richard sports a new blond image as he enjoys a day at the races

He used to perform with The Shadows – but now it seems Cliff Richard has joined the Bleach Boys.

Sir Cliff, 78, has long admitted to colouring his hair. But instead of sporting the darker hue we’re all used to, the singer was pictured with a strawberry blond mop at the races in Chester on Saturday. 

Apparently untroubled by the heat, he wore a tight-fitting, long-sleeved white shirt – complementing his deep brown tan.

The legendary singer has long admitted to colouring his hair but he normally opts for a darker shade

In 2013, Sir Cliff revealed he kept the signs of ageing at bay by dyeing his hair and taking nine tablets a day. 

‘I know I can’t look 18 any more, so I do what I can,’ he admitted.

The pop legend had performed at Cartmel racecourse in Cumbria on Friday as part of his nationwide Diamond Encore tour, which continues in Greenwich, south-east London, today.

That concert will follow an appearance at the launch of a parliamentary petition by the pressure group Fair – Falsely Accused Individuals for Reform.

The pop legend had performed at Cartmel racecourse in Cumbria on Friday as part of his nationwide Diamond Encore tour before enjoying the races on Saturday

Sir Cliff, who is leading a campaign to grant anonymity to those suspected of sex offences, will say: ‘The stigma of a false allegation sticks and something needs to be done to redress the balance.’

The singer won a legal battle against the BBC last year after it showed live footage of his home being raided by police as part of an investigation into historic sex offences. 

Sir Cliff was never charged, but claims the broadcast permanently damaged his reputation.