Sir Cliff Richard has paid an emotional tribute to his friend and former manager Bill Latham following his death at the age of 84.
The Mistletoe and Wine singer, 82, lived with the former religious studies teacher for more than 30 years after they met in the 1960s, before Bill moved out with his wife in 1996, reports Smooth Radio.
Bill was also part of Sir Cliff’s management team, before retiring at the end of 2010.
READ MORE: Sir Cliff Richard eyes up Stormzy collaboration after tense Christmas Number 1 battle
The singer credited Bill with leading him on the “spiritual pathway” that changed his life “fully and completely,” as he paid an emotional tribute to his close friend on Facebook.
(Image: Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock)
Sharing a photograph of the two of them together with American evangelist Billy Graham, Sir Cliff paid tribute saying: “Dear all. Yet another loss.
“This time, someone I feel as though I’ve known forever has left this life and moved on to a better one.
“Many, if not all of you, will know of whom I write … Bill Latham.”
(Image: Mirrorpix)
The musician continued: “He is the one who led me on to that spiritual pathway that changed my life fully and completely.
“He showed me how important it was to be charitable and also be brave enough to speak openly of my faith.
“Bill was one of those people who you could reliably lean on and I did, many times.”
Sir Cliff added that Bill would be “missed greatly and will live on in the many hearts of those that loved and respected him…my heart being one of them.”
(Image: Sipa/REX/Shutterstock)
The singer signed off his post with the words: “God bless you Bill. You deserve your Rest In Peace … Cliff.”
Sir Cliff recently re-entered the UK Music Charts, after his new record Christmas with Cliff, reached number 2 in the album charts.
However, the singer narrowly lost on the Christmas number one to rapper Stormzy, who claimed the top spot with ‘This Is What I Mean’.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
