The 75-year-old Living Doll star, who was on holiday in Portugal when South Yorkshire Police officers stormed his Berkshire home in 2014, claims his reputation was “unnecessarily damaged” by the raid.

A police source tipped the BBC off about the plans to search his home, which he has since sold, for evidence linked to allegations of sexual offences between 1958 and 1983.

Richard was cleared of charges last month after Crown Prosecution Service officials ruled there was a lack of evidence.

He has now instructed his lawyers to make “formal legal complaints” to South Yorkshire Police and the BBC, claiming bosses at both parties were wrong to air the raid live before any charges had been brought against him.

Full story at source: Cliff Richard starts legal action