Sir Cliff Richard fires brutal five-word swipe at famous singers who make comebacks

As he approaches his 85th birthday, Sir Cliff Richard has given his opinion on musicians who announce they are retiring, only to make a comeback at a later date

British rock legend Sir Cliff Richard has playfully jabbed at stars who "make comebacks," suggesting that they're simply cash-strapped.

In a chat with Woman's Weekly, the 84 year old music icon let slip his sly comment on his peers' habits of returning to the limelight: "Artists have finished, and then they make four comebacks. And every time I hear of a comeback, I think: 'They've run out of money!'"

He confided his own exit strategy, aiming to bow out quietly without fanfare: "And I don't want people to say that about me. I would rather stop. I don't have to announce, Oh, I've stopped," reports the Daily Express.

Reflecting on others who announce retirement only to later return, Sir Cliff expressed his preference for subtlety: "I can just wait a couple of years, maybe... retire for two years but don't tell anybody and book the Albert Hall two years beforehand."

Not yet ready to hang up his microphone, the sprightly octogenarian also revealed his secret for staying fit throughout the decades: "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."

While he talked through his fitness routine, the singer emphasised how you can 'still have fun' without looking like you're 20, as she continued: "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."

"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."

In a glittering career spanning over 65 years, the esteemed singer has been honoured for his contributions to the music industry with numerous awards over the years. Loved by many for hits such as Summer Holiday and We Don't Talk Anymore, Richard was knighted in 1995, becoming the first rock star ever to receive this honour.

Sir Cliff is set to appear in Simon Schama's Story of Us on BBC Two, where the TV host will chat with celebrities like Richard, Jarvis Cocker, and Ali Smith about their experiences in the limelight. The programme can be viewed live on BBC Two at 9pm tonight (Wednesday, January 8).