Sir Cliff Richard announces first album of new material in 14 years, Rise Up

The album comes months after the singer won a court case against the BBC

(EPA)

Sir Cliff Richard has announced his first album of new material in 14 years, Rise Up.

The singer says the album deals with the "bad period" he has been through, referring to a landmark court case against the BBC, which he won.

A judge ruled that the broadcaster’s coverage of a police raid on Richard’s home in 2014 following a child sex assault allegation was a “very serious” invasion of his privacy. Richard denied the allegation and was not charged with any offence.

Rise Up’s title track will receive its radio debut on Ken Bruce’s BBC Radio 2 show. The 16-track LP was recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London and sees Richard reunited with Olivia Newton-John for the first time in nearly 25 years.

The album also features four of his classic tracks, including “Devil Woman” and “Miss You Nights”, reworked using Richard’s original vocals with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

“I chose ‘Rise Up’ as the title track because after the bad period I went through in my life, I’ve managed to ‘Rise Up’ out of what seemed like a quagmire,” he said.

The album contains the lyrics: “They’re never gonna break me down, they’re never gonna take me down, they know I’m gonna rise up feeling stronger.”

“It is always great to sing lyrics you can ‘feel’ and I really felt those words!" he explained. "So, I believe that we have the right title for the album and I am so thrilled in the way that it has turned out.”

The singer called Rise Up a “revival for me” and that he’s excited by the prospect of a new audience tuning in to listen to him, but “if they do and don’t like it, they can buy something else”.

He added: “Give me a chance, that is all we can ask... close your eyes and tune in. My longevity should be considered a plus, not a drawback.”

Rise Up is released on 23 November.