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Cliff Richard has been left ‘distraught’ by the death of his ‘soulmate’ Olivia Newton-John as he paid tribute to the iconic Australian star.
The singer, 81, who was close friends with the actress for more than 50 years, is devastated after it was announced on Monday she’d died aged 73.
Cliff and Olivia had a friendship that spanned decades after she regularly appeared on his show in the 1970s, with the musician even admitting he ‘fell in love’ with her.
Tragedy: Cliff Richard has been left ‘distraught’ by the death of his ‘soulmate’ Olivia Newton-John, according to DJ Mike Read (pictured in 1995)
Taking to social media to honour Olivia with a tribute, he wrote: ‘I find myself at a loss as to what to say. Death… well, he is a vicious enemy and all of us will be taken by him. But all of us are not taken by him at the same time and so while Olivia remains in our minds and memories, she remains very much alive!
‘I’m just one of an army of lucky people who knew and loved her. How could we not love her? She was gorgeous, gifted and had a heart of Gold. Also, a bunch of records that were Gold, but her Golden Heart is her legacy to us.
‘When she was first diagnosed with cancer Livvy put her career on hold for years. Why? Because she wanted to inspire other sufferers to do as she did… fight the ugly disease, although she said in one interview that she wasn’t in a battle with cancer just that she had something that she simply wanted to get rid of!
‘Olivia always had an up-beat approach to life. Only three weeks ago I was on the phone to her, and she was her bright positive self and I never thought for one moment of that call that I would be writing this and acknowledging her death. I hate that word!
‘From now on I will only believe that our gorgeous Olivia simply stopped living. I will miss her. The world will miss her, so let’s all keep her alive in our hearts and memories. God bless you Livvy. Rest In Peace…..Cliff xxx’
Iconic: The singer, 81, who was close friends with the Australian star for more than 50 years, is ‘devastated’ after it was announced on Monday she’d died aged 73 (pictured in 2004)
Cliff and Olivia met back in 1971 when she became a regular guest singer on his variety show, and she even joined him on tour as a backing singer.
The music legend has previously admitted he ‘fell in love’ with the Grease star, but ‘lost his chance’ because she was engaged to someone else.
Speaking in his autobiography The Dreamer, he said: ‘We hit it off straight away. She was the sort of soulmate that you meet and you know is a friend for life.
‘When I and many of us were in love with Olivia she was engaged to someone else. I’m afraid I lost the chance.’
Close bond: Cliff previously admitted he ‘fell in love’ with Olivia, but ‘lost his chance’ because she was engaged to someone else. He has repeatedly denied they dated (pictured in 2005)
Career: Also on Tuesday Cliff released pictures from his upcoming 2023 calendar as he posed in glamorous shots
Style: He looked dazzling in a gold embellished suit in one snap before later posing in a red leather ensemble
Iconic: Cliff is known for releasing a calendar every year much to the delight of his loyal fans
Speculation was rife that Cliff and Olivia were an item, but he has repeatedly denied the claims.
Olivia landed her big break when she sang a cover of Bob Dylan’s If Not for You on Cliff’s hit show, and went onto star in Grease, catapulting her to Hollywood stardom.
She and Cliff remained close friends for decade, and she stood by him when he was investigated by police, joining him on stage at the Royal Albert Hall in 2015 to mark his 75th birthday.
Blast from the past: Olivia landed her big break when she sang a cover of Bob Dylan’s If Not for You on Cliff’s hit show (pictured in 1964)
Iconic role: She is most known for her famous role as Sandy in the 1978 movie Grease (pictured, Newton-John with Grease co-star John Travolta)
Tributes have poured in for Olivia since her passing was announced on Monday, lead by her Grease co-star John Travolta.
On Tuesday Didi Conn revealed Olivia opened up to her about her ailing health when they spoke ‘a couple of weeks ago.’
The star was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, but the disease returned in 2013 and in 2017.
‘She told me that her health was, you know, she wasn’t walking anymore and she had full-time care but her husband John and her daughter Chloe were there all the time, and she told me that they were just so hopelessly devoted,’ she said on Good Morning America.
Tough time: The star was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, but the disease returned in 2013 and in 2017
Olivia’s husband John Easterling announced the tragic news that Olivia had lost her battle with cancer on social media on Monday.
‘Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully at her ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends,’ he said in a statement.
‘We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.
‘Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer.
‘Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.’
Emotional: Olivia’s husband John Easterling announced the tragic news that Olivia had lost her battle with cancer on social media on Monday (pictured in her final Instagram post)