Sir Cliff Richard suing BBC and South Yorkshire Police ‘for £1m’ over police raid at his home

Lawyers are understood to have written to the BBC and South Yorkshire Police to begin the litigation process

Sir Cliff Richard said the ‘gross intrusion’ into his privacy was the result of ‘illegal collusion’ (PA)

Sir Cliff Richard has confirmed he will take legal action against the BBC and South Yorkshire Police.

Sir Cliff said his life was “effectively turned upside down” as he confirmed he has instructed lawyers to make formal legal complaints to South Yorkshire Police and the BBC over live coverage of a police raid at his home.

The entertainer is understood to have launched legal action alleging there was collusion between the broadcaster and the force that led to the search appearing on television.

Officers investigating allegations of historic sex offences were filmed searching Sir Cliff's apartment in Berkshire in August 2014, leading to him being publicly named as part of the probe. The 75-year-old was never arrested or charged. The Crown Prosecution Service dismissed the case on grounds of insufficient evidence in June and both the BBC and South Yorkshire Police have apologised to the star.

However, Sir Cliff said the “gross intrusion” into his privacy was the result of “illegal collusion” and the resulting fallout damaged his reputation and left him physically unwell.

According to the Daily Mail the £1m claim reflects damage he suffered personally and commercially as a result of the episode.

It is understood Sir Cliff developed a cough which affected his touring schedule, an album release had to be delayed, sales of his popular calendars were affected and his winery business suffered.

Lawyers are understood to have written to the BBC and South Yorkshire Police to begin the litigation process.

The broadcaster, whose relationship with Sir Cliff stretches back decades, said in a statement: “The BBC’s responsibility is to report fully stories that are in the public interest. Police investigations into prominent figures in public life are, of course, squarely in the public interest, which is why they have been reported by all news organisations in this country.

“Once the South Yorkshire Police had confirmed the investigation and Sir Cliff Richard's identity and informed the BBC of the timing and details of the search of his property, it would neither have been editorially responsible nor in the public interest to choose not to report fully the investigation into Sir Cliff Richard because of his public profile.

“The BBC, at every stage, reported Sir Cliff’s full denial of the allegations.

“The BBC, therefore, stands by the decision to report the investigation undertaken by the South Yorkshire Police and the search of his property.

“The Home Affairs Select Committee reviewed the editorial decisions made by the BBC and concluded, ‘we see nothing wrong in their decision to run the story’.”

South Yorkshire Police declined to comment.