Cliff and the girls in his life

What have Livvy Newton-John and Cindy Kent, of the Settlers, in common? Answer: Cliff Richard, still the most eligible bachelor boy in the business, who’s been a guiding light in both girls’ careers at one stage or another.

Livvy, currently living down the cruel “one hit wonder” label via a second hit “Banks Of The Ohio,” has become so much a part of the Cliff now that when he was quoted the other day as saying his ideal girl would be a cross between Cilla Black, Una Stubbs and LIVVY- it almost started the tongues wagging wickedly. (Livvy, of course, is engaged to ex-Shadows guitarist Bruce Welch).

Cliff, however, has helped her career tremendously. She guested on his last TV series several times (she’s also on the next!), appeared in his London “Palladium” season, and they’re currently on a countrywide UK tour together. Cliff, claims Livvy, has given her great confidence, both onstage and in the studio; and she was flattered to learn that she figured among his ideal girls. In her initial TV appearances with him she used to cling on to his hand because she was so nervous.

But it’s his polish and professionalism which impresses her most of all. “A lot of the glamour about pop stars is lost because people seem to be able to see their idols everywhere these days. I may be old-fashioned, but to me Cliff has never lost that aura. He’s still somewhat inaccessible.”