Veteran British entertainer Cilla Black has thrown her support behind Sir Cliff Richard as he faces a police probe into a sex abuse allegation.

The Living Doll singer hit headlines last week (ends17Aug14) when his home in Berkshire, England was raided by officers as part of an investigation into a claim that a boy under the age of 16 was attacked in 1985.

Richard called the allegation "completely false" and now his longtime friend, singer-turned-Tv star Black, has issued a statement to proclaim his innocence.

She says, "Cliff is a very close friend of mine and has been for a million years. I, like everyone else, was shocked to hear of these allegations and I am absolutely positive that they are without foundation."

Richard has cancelled an upcoming performance at Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, England following news of the police investigation.