Cliff Richard's three rules for 'healthy ageing' and the 10 foods he avoids

Sir Cliff Richard is known for his youthful appearance and at 84, he maintains his health and fitness by following three simple lifestyle rules.

Cliff, who was knighted in 1995, once shared a rare glimpse into how he maintains his health and fitness in his later years. In a past interview, the Summer Holiday singer expressed surprise at his own longevity in a throwback interview.

He confessed: "I never thought I'd get to be 50 years old, let alone have a 62-year career."

The 84-year-old went on to share that ageing isn't a concern for him as long as he's "lucky enough" to stay in good health, reports the Surrey Live.

Despite previous health scares, including a "dangerous" case of shingles and doctor warnings about high cholesterol, Cliff credits his ongoing physical activity to maintaining his youthful energy.

He previously revealed: "I always say to people, you know, just keep moving. If you can run, run. If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl. Just keep everything moving and I think that's helped me a great deal".

He also recognised that not everyone ages gracefully, but stressed the importance of finding happiness regardless.

"Some people just don't age well, but you can still age and be happy. I don't even know what I look like now, but you don't have to look 20 to have fun," he said.

"You can still have fun within your age group within your standard of tennis playing, or whatever sport you choose to do. That's what I do. I still keep active," he added, expressing the importance of diet in addition to exercise.

He continued: "the thing is to try and keep healthy and sometimes that means giving up food that you shouldn't eat and want to".

Cliff has stayed fit over the years by playing tennis weekly, as well as visiting the gym making his appearance at Wimbledon less of a surprise.

After losing his mother, Dorothy Webb, at 87 after a long battle with dementia, Richard is more determined than ever to live to 100.

On the topic of ageing, he stated: "I've just been reading a book I bought, hundreds of ways of getting to 100. It mentions apples and celery juice and things like that."

He also spoke about staying consistent with his health beliefs, saying, "I've been true to what I believe in and it's held me in good stead," and jokingly added, "They should start treating me like an old man."

The National Institute on Aging highlights several factors that contribute to 'healthy ageing,' including genetics, exercise, diet, and mental health care.

Sir Cliff also credit his success in the industry was down to “giving up things I loved".

Speaking on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, he said: "I only eat what I’m supposed to eat. I have to give up certain things that I loved before, but there are so many vegetables and different things I can eat that I do."

Speaking with Boom Radio about his diet, he revealed that he follows a Blood Type diet, an eating plan depending on what blood type you are.

He also revealed that he has had to give up some foods he loved, such as red meat, crustaceans, mangoes, papayas, bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, and aubergine.

Cliff, who is blood type A, explained: "There are 10 things [I can’t have].

"I can't have dairy or wheat. No red meat. No crustaceans. No mangoes, papayas or bananas. No potatoes, tomatoes. No aubergine.

"And you know, when you look at a list of foods that exist, giving up 10 of them is not that difficult."

He continued: "Tomatoes are probably the thing I miss most because some of the great curries I made with tomato puree. Some of the great pastas have tomatoes in them, but there’s so many different ways of having pasta."

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Although he misses some of the things he has cut from his diet, he says he enjoys having a treat every now and then.

"I have to be careful when I'm choosing Indian food. But you know, I'm allowed to have a treat now and then," he added.

"But if I'm gonna have a treat, it'll be a steak about four times a year, that's all. But I look forward to the day. You have to plan your sin."

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