Sir Cliff Richard has revealed how he stays young – he believes age is just a “state of mind”.

The 75-year-old has been through a tumultuous year, facing allegations of historical sex abuse – which were later dropped – and losing his best friend Cilla Black and his sister Donna.

Cilla Black
Cilla Black (Chris Radburn/PA)

But the Living Doll singer, 75, told Kiss FM in Portugal he still had a positive state of mind.

“Do not give in to the age thing,” he said.

“It’s just a state of mind. If you can keep your state of mind clear…”

Sir Cliff, who’s going to be 76 in October, said: “Sometimes it’s too easy for us to think, ‘Oh, I’m 76, I can’t be seen doing that’. Why not? Just wear what you’re going to wear. Be what you are going to be.”

Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard (Brian Lawless/PA)

He added: “I’ve been fortunate, I’ve not had any major illness. I haven’t had to deal with that.”

Sir Cliff was the subject of a long-running police investigation which centred on accusations that he sexually assaulted a teenage boy in the 1980s.

Sir Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard (David Davies/PA)

His case was discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service in June on the grounds of insufficient evidence.

This month his sister Donna Goulden died at the age of 73, following a prolonged illness.