Sir Cliff Richard has told a High Court judge that BBC coverage of a raid on his home was so ‘shocking and upsetting’ that he feared he might have a ‘heart attack or stroke.’
The 77-year-old singer has taken legal action over BBC coverage of the search, which was staged after a sex-assault allegation.
BBC bosses dispute his claims. Mr Justice Mann began overseeing a trial at the High Court in London yesterday. Sir Cliff began giving evidence this afternoon.
Sir Cliff, depicted in a court sketch today, said that the BBC’s coverage of a police raid on his home was a ‘very serious invasion’ of his privacy
A court sketch of Sir Cliff giving evidence at the Rolls Building in London today
He said in a written statement: ‘It was shocking and upsetting.’
Sir Cliff said: ‘My health suffered, both mentally and physically.’
He added: ‘At one point … I actually thought I was going to have a heart attack or stroke.’
Before he began to give evidence he gave his name and swore an oath on the bible.
He told his barrister, Justin Rushbrooke QC, that he prefers to be addressed as Sir Cliff rather than ‘Mr’.
Sir Cliff told Mr Justice Mann about seeing footage of the police search on his home for the first time.
Sir Cliff Richard arrives at the High Court in central London with his friend Gloria Hunniford
The singer’s voice cracked as he recalled seeing a news item while at a hotel in Portugal after returning from a winery.
He said the memory was ‘engraved’ and he witnessed footage from cameras which could see “right into” his apartment and had recorded officers searching through his belongings.
He added: ‘It wasn’t a very pleasant feeling and by that time I had heard of the allegation and seeing it made me feel even worse.’
Sir Cliff said he did not view any clips of the BBC’s broadcasts as they were played to the court on Thursday.
The singer (left) suing the BBC for ‘substantial damages’. Also seen arriving was Jonathan Munro, Head of Newsgathering at the BBC
The 77-year-old singer was pictured arriving at the hearing in central London alongside his friend, TV presenter Gloria Hunniford.
He claims coverage of a police raid on his home following an allegation of sexual assault was a ‘very serious invasion’ of his privacy.
A barrister leading Sir Cliff’s legal team told Mr Justice Mann on Thursday that BBC coverage of the search at the singer’s apartment in Sunningdale, Berkshire, in August had a ‘prolonged impact’ on the star.
He said the singer should get compensation at the ‘very top end of the scale’.
Lawyers representing South Yorkshire Police are expected to outline their case today, following which Sir Cliff is due to give evidence
The BBC says its coverage of the police raid on Sir Cliff Richard’s apartment was accurate and in good faith.
Lawyers representing BBC bosses told Mr Justice Mann that the raid was a ‘matter of legitimate public interest’.
Metropolitan Police officers passed the allegation to South Yorkshire Police in July 2014.
Sir Cliff denied the allegation and in June 2016 prosecutors announced that he would face no charges.
A BBC spokesman has said the BBC reported Sir Cliff’s ‘full denial of the allegations at every stage’.
Lawyers representing South Yorkshire Police are expected to outline their case on Friday, following which Sir Cliff is due to give evidence.
The trial is due to last 10 days.