I'm still an enigma, says pop's Peter Pan

"After 50 years, I'm still an enigma. And I'm loving it," laughs the national institution that is Sir Cliff Richard.

Cliff Richard. It is a name that resonates with musical history.

It was 1958 when a 17-year-old Cliff first burst on to the British music scene with Move It - a single credited as being one of the first authentic rock and roll songs produced outside America.

Fifty years - and a staggering 250 million record sales later - he really is still wired for sound as he continues to delight his fans with new music and concerts.

And this week the 67-year-old is hoping to be top of the pops yet again with his newly released single Thank You For a Lifetime.

The release of the single comes alongside his new autobiography, which over the past week has led to newspaper headlines and speculation about his private life, particularly his description about his friendship with the former Roman Catholic priest he shares a home with.

Sir Cliff, famously unbetrothed after half a century in showbusiness, describes Father John McElynn as his "companion".

His private life has often been the subject of much speculation over the decades - but Sir Cliff admits that he does not worry about what is said about him in the press.

"Yes there's been speculation, rumours and things that are made up. If the press wants to speculate, it goes ahead and speculates," says Sir Cliff, as we chat amid his many TV appearance this week - including his performance last night on the National Lottery show.

"But the press has no power and I don't listen to it," he says.

Yet, is he not tempted to set the record straight once and for all, and either confirm or deny the rumours about his sexuality?

"My private life is private, the same as everyone's private life is private," he says.

"And I think it's great that after 50 years I'm still an enigma," he laughs.

If his private life has been somewhat ambiguous, the same cannot be said for his musical career.

It is difficult to think of any British entertainer who has spanned the decades - and the generations - and had more hits all over the world than Sir Cliff.

In the early days he gave us such classics as Summer Holiday and Living Doll.

The 70s brought us Miss You Nights, Devil Woman and We Don't Talk Any More, while the 80s and 90s produced such hits as Carrie, Wired for Sound, Daddy's Home and Saviour's Day. And between that he became a film star, as well as being the UK's Eurovision entry in 1968.

"When I first started with The Shadows, some said we would be a one-hit wonder. But rock and roll was here to stay," laughs Sir Cliff.

"And I suppose none of us knew what to expect back then," he says.

Fast forward to 2008 and Sir Cliff - he received a knighthood in 1995 - is still working as hard as ever.

He has enjoyed chart success in five consecutive decades and is hoping his new single Thank You For a Lifetime will hit the top spot - and no doubt put the icing on the cake to his anniversary celebrations.

"I wanted to say a big thank you to fans and wanted a single that would be suitable to thank them for the past 50 years," he says.

"To release something acknowledging 50 years in the business may sound pretty yukky, but I am pleased with the song and I hope the fans are too," he smiles. "I appreciate that it may be restrictive but I do hope that people will like it."

And while he acknowledges it would be nice to have another number one, he reckons no-one will ever overtake his haul of hits.

"I don't know of any artist who wouldn't aim for the No 1 spot with a single.

"But no-one is going to catch me now - I've had five decades of number ones.

"And there's not many people who can say they've been around in the music industry for 50 years."

Sir Cliff has obviously witnessed great change in the music industry over the past half a century, and admits much of it has been for the worse.

"The industry has changed so much that I feel it really doesn't support up-and-coming young musicians.

"The likes of the X-Factor and Pop Idol produce so many good singers and musicians, but I don't think these people are supported the way I was.

"While some of the music industry has changed for the better, a lot of it has changed for the worse."

And Sir Cliff admits that he is not a fan of downloaded music.

"I think the quality of a CD is untouchable. You really cannot get the same quality from a download.

"But I like to hear my music out loud. I don't want to hear it via earphones. And I think the sound should be shared. I like nothing more than listening to music with others," he says.

During the past decade Sir Cliff has also been subject to an unofficial radio station ban on his singles.

"I've never felt that my records were actually banned. I can't tell the radio stations what they can play.

"But it does worry me. If you are not played on the radio, how are people going to hear you? If you are on the C-list you may get played once a day, which is better than nothing at all and that's fine by me.

"Others may get played six or seven times a day. It's really not a fair competition.

"But I do get very philosophical about it.

Sir Cliff's 50th celebrations culminate with his UK Time Machine tour in November - which will delight female baby boomers from across the region as it takes in Birmingham's NIA.

And the legend admits he still gets nervous as he takes to the stage.

"The nerves are still there - but I get over them in three days," he says.

"But it's such a pure pleasure to go on stage. I look at all these people who could be watching Coronation Street - and instead they are watching me.

"Of course they may watch Coronation Street later on Skyplus," he laughs.

"But it feels great that they are there.

The support I've had from fans has been fantastic. And most of them I've never ever met. They are amazing," he says.

As our conversation comes to an end I jokingly ask this "enigma"' if he thinks he will remain a bachelor boy until his dying day.

"Who knows?," he laughs.

"I like the lifestyle I have at the moment. I'm very happy".

By Maria Cusine