Sir Cliff Richard reveals prostate cancer treatment and urges national screening programme

Sir Cliff Richard and Dermot Murnaghan

Sir Cliff Richard has revealed he has been treated for prostate cancer over the past year, speaking candidly about his diagnosis in a powerful call for a national screening programme for men.

The 84-year-old music legend opened up during an exclusive interview on Good Morning Britain, where he spoke to journalist Dermot Murnaghan about his experience and the importance of early diagnosis. Sir Cliff said he was diagnosed while preparing for an international tour, after routine medical checks were requested for insurance purposes.

“I was about to embark on a tour which in fact ended this time at the Royal Albert Hall. But I was going to Australia and to New Zealand and the promoter said, ‘Well we need for your insurance, you need to be checked up for something.’ They found that I had prostate cancer,” he said.

Sir Cliff explained that the cancer was detected early and had not spread, describing himself as fortunate.

“But the good fortune was that it was not very old and the other thing is that it has not metastasized. Nothing had moved into bones or anything like that.”

He confirmed that treatment has been successful for now, while acknowledging the uncertainty that many cancer patients live with.

“The cancer’s gone at the moment. I don’t know whether it’s going to come back. We can’t tell those sort of things but we need to, absolutely, I’m convinced, get there, get tested, get checked.”

‘We as men have got to start saying it’

The singer used the interview to speak directly to men across the UK, urging them not to shy away from conversations about health and vulnerability.

“I think we as men have got to start saying it, we’ve got to be seen as human beings who may die of this thing.”

Dermot Murnaghan, who is himself being treated for stage 4 prostate cancer, underlined the scale of the issue, pointing to the absence of a national screening programme.

“Prostate cancer, we should put out there, is the most prevalent cancer amongst men and the biggest cancer killer of men. There is no national screening programme.”

Criticism of Government decision

Sir Cliff was forthright in his criticism of the recent decision not to approve a national prostate cancer screening programme, describing it as deeply unfair.

“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous. We have governments to look after our country and those who live in that country, so I can’t see how you can say, ‘Oh we can do this, we can do that, but we don’t do this for these people.’”

He added that access to early testing should be universal, regardless of background.

“We all deserve to have the same ability to have a test and then start treatments really early. It seems to me - I’ve only been for one year now in touch with cancer, but every time I’ve talked with anybody this has come up and so I think our government must listen to us.”

Call to join forces with the King

Sir Cliff’s comments come amid renewed public focus on men’s health, following recent disclosures from high-profile figures. Last week, His Majesty The King shared that early diagnosis and “effective intervention” meant his cancer treatment would be reduced in the new year.

In light of that news, Sir Cliff said he would welcome the opportunity to work alongside the King to raise awareness of prostate cancer and early testing.

“I’ve been involved with many charities over the years and if the King is happy to front it for us, I’m sure loads of people, I certainly would join him…”

He added:

“If the King is listening, I think most of us would say yeah - we’re available!”

Sir Cliff’s candid testimony has been widely praised for helping to break down stigma around men’s health, with campaigners hoping his voice will add fresh momentum to calls for a national screening programme that could save thousands of lives through earlier diagnosis.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.