Britain’s eternal Bachelor Boy Sir Cliff Richard has finally cracked open his closely guarded heart at 83, spilling gut-wrenching details on a forbidden love he buried for half a century – and the devastating false abuse allegations that nearly torpedoed his six-decade reign as pop royalty.

The “Living Doll” crooner, born Harry Rodger Webb in India back in 1940, shot to stardom in 1958 with “Move It” – hailed by John Lennon as the only British rock worth hearing pre-Beatles. He’s shifted 260 million records, notched 14 No.1s, and outlasted everyone from Elvis tributes to Eurovision flops. But behind the clean-cut grin and Christian faith? A lifetime of hidden heartache and hellish headlines.

Insiders say Cliff’s bombshell confessions – teased in viral posts and clickbait vids – circle back to his wild early days with The Shadows. We’re talking a steamy affair with Carol Costa, the blonde bombshell wife of bassist Jet Harris. At just 19, Cliff lost his virginity to Carol in a whirlwind fling that could’ve nuked the band and his squeaky-clean image.

“She seduced me in her curlers,” Cliff once quipped, but Carol fired back: “I’m not the seducer!” The romp exploded when Jet caught wind – Harris spiraled into booze and pills, quitting The Shadows in ’62. Cliff’s folks flipped over a steamy letter they nabbed, branding it sinful. “It could’ve wrecked my career,” Cliff later admitted, calling it infatuation gone wrong.

Fast-forward to the ’80s: Cliff nearly ditched bachelorhood for tennis ace Sue Barker. They were Posh and Becks-level hot – cuddling at Wimbledon, jetting worldwide. “I seriously contemplated marrying her,” Cliff confessed. But nah: “I didn’t love her quite enough.” Sue, now 68, reportedly got fed up with him “harping on” about it decades later. Ruthless? Fans think so.

Don’t forget dancer Jackie Irving – inseparable Blackpool summer in the ’60s – or whispers with Olivia Newton-John. Cliff gushed: “I was in love with her.” But she was engaged; they stayed “soulmates.” He’s also dodged gay rumors forever: “If I was, would it matter?” Boom.

Why no ring ever? “Marriage is huge – my career ate everything,” he’s said since the ’50s. Rising stars tying the knot? Career killer back then. He’s lived with ex-priest pal John McElynn for years – platonic, he swears.

Then the big one: 2014’s Operation Yewtree nightmare. Post-Savile scandal, cops raided his Berkshire pad live on BBC choppers after a tip he abused a teen boy in the ’80s. Cliff, in Portugal, watched horrified. No arrest, no charges – dropped in ’16. He sued BBC, bagged £210k plus millions more, but: “I’ll never get over it. Tarnished forever.”

He fumed “violent thoughts” toward the accuser, felt “hate.” “No smoke without fire? Bollocks,” he’s raged. Spent £280k clearing his name, pushed for suspect anonymity laws.

At 83 (85 now? Time flies), Cliff’s still touring – Blue Sapphire bash, 2026 calendar dropping travel snaps with mates. Net worth? $100M. But the grief lingers: “Put on weight, skipped meeting Elvis,” he laughed recently. Turned down OBE upgrades for knighthood beef.

Family’s spoken too – niece backed him during raids; cousin called it a “witchhunt.”

Viral YouTube clips like “At 83, Cliff Richard Breaks In Tears ‘She Was the Love of My Life’” rack millions – but they’re recycled old chats with Sue or Carol, amped for clicks.

Cliff’s memoir A Head Full Of Music spills more tunes than tears, but fans crave the dirt. “Great sorrow” for Carol’s pain; turned down secret son claims demanding DNA.

From Delhi kid to Peter Pan of Pop – homes worldwide, no one to share ’em. “Bachelor Boy till the end,” he sings. But at 83, is the truth finally free?

He’s outlasted ’em all. Legend? Absolutely. Tormented? You bet.

More bombshells brewing? Britain’s watching.