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LONDON (AP) — Veteran British rock star Cliff Richard is denying the sexual allegations that prompted British police to search a house he owns today.
The allegations date back to the 1980s.
Police say officers gained entry to the house west of London after receiving an allegation of a sexual nature "involving a boy who was under the age of 16 at the time."
Richard, who is 73, says in a statement that he's been aware for months of allegations of "historic impropriety." He says they are "completely false."
No arrests have been made.
Richard is one of Britain's most beloved musicians, and has enjoyed a successful career with numerous chart-topping hits spanning more than five decades from the late 1950s onwards. Popular songs include "Devil Woman," which achieved success in the U.S. in the '70s, and "We Don't Talk Anymore."
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APPHOTO LON105: FILE - In this Tuesday, May 13, 2014 file photo, British singer Cliff Richard performs on stage during the first show of his European tour 'Still Reelin' And A-Rockin' at the o2-Arena in Hamburg, Germany. British police say they are searching a house belonging to singer Cliff Richard in connection with sexual allegations dating back to the 1980s. South Yorkshire Police say eight officers are at the house in Berkshire, west of London on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014. The force said the allegations "involve a boy who was under the age of 16 at the time." (AP Photo/dpa, Markus Scholz, File) (13 May 2014)
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