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Sir Cliff slams 'political correctness'

LASHING OUT: Sir Cliff Richard

The Peter Pan of pop said the political climate bugged him "like mad".

The 65-year-old singer told Sky News: "In the political climate, this whole political correctness thing bugs me like mad.

'Upset'

"I was so upset when they said they were going to call the lights in London winter lights.

"I'm saying `hello, I've got friends who are Asian, I wish them Happy Diwali, they wish me Happy Christmas'.

"In fact they enjoy Christmas. And when I've been there and there's Diwali going on I've enjoyed that too to be honest with you.

"I'm not so sure why they're so upset about the sensitivity of other religions who actually don't mind that we celebrate Christmas."

He told The Sky Report with Julie Etchingham: "Even in schools now I keep reading about how Christianity isn't necessarily taught anymore.

"I'm thinking: `Wait a minute. If I went to live in another country and it had a different faith and philosophy and I joined in there ... If I was a kid and went to school I would have to learn what they learn as well'."

Sir Cliff said he had been "really hurt ... at first" by the radio ban on his music.

"My friends said stop whining ... I said I'm fighting for my career ... It's a hole in my heart and I won't be able to fill it", he said.