Cliff Richard performs emotional virtual duet with Olivia Newton-John

Olivia passed away earlier this year

Cliff at Christmas
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 22nd Dec 2022

It's not Christmas without Cliff! With festive hits like 'Mistletoe and Wine' and 'Saviour's Day', and a brand new release for 2022, 'Christmas With Cliff', fans were also treated to a special TV programme at the weekend called Cliff at Christmas.

During the show, which was filmed in Hackney Church in London, and featured many of Cliff's fantastic hits, the singer took the opportunity to sing an emotional duet with the late singer Olivia Newton-John.

Introducing the song 'Suddenly', Cliff said: "The thing is, talking about Olivia was really almost impossible for me after hearing that she had died. Just a few weeks before, I had spoken to her and she typically was saying 'Good day Cliff! How are you darling?' and when people asked me how she was, I thought, well she's really bouncy, but of course the battle against cancer... we knew it would end some how, but it was a terrible shock."

Watch Cliff's emotional performance below:

He went on to say: "And I think I speak for all of us, everybody loved her, men and women, she was not a threat to anybody, you couldn't help but love Olivia Newton-John. And so, using my live vocals, and Olivia's vocals from my 75th birthday celebration at the Royal Albert Hall, along with archive footage and some of my very own, personal photographs... here is my tribute to my dear friend, gorgeous Olivia Newton-John. This is 'Suddenly'."

Viewers loved the show, with one writing on Facebook: 'Loved it.......especially your fabulous tribute to Olivia Newton John. ❤😭 Thank you for such a lovely evening!', another said: 'Loved it, fabulous evening with great tribute to Olivia Newton-John. Happy Christmas to you all ♥️♥️xx', with a third commenting: 'Lovely tribute to Olivia Newton-John!'.

Along with the tribute to his life-long friend, the show was a chance to see Cliff perform some of his Christmas classics, as well as his new songs, and a chat to presenter Sara Cox at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, discussing his career, which has spanned more than six decades.

Cliff at Christmas is now available to watch on iPlayer.

Now take a look at TV shows to look forward to over Christmas:

Stacey Solomon’s Crafty Christmas

Stacey Solomon is back this year with a little help from her family! Stacey shows us crafty ways to create beautiful decorations and gifts that are sure to spread some home-made cheer this Christmas time.


Air date: 14th December (8pm)
Channel: BBC

Deal or No Deal Christmas Special

Former footballer Michael Owen joins Stephen Mulhern for a festive edition of Deal or No Deal. Michael will be hoping to win money for his chosen charity!


Air date: Sunday 17th December (7pm)
Channel: ITV/STV

​Richard Osman's Festive House of Games

Richard Osman hosts a week of festive special of hit game show House of Games.


Air date: 18th-22nd December
Channel: BBC Two

The Hairy Bikers Coming Home for Christmas

To thank all of those who've helped Dave through his recent illness, The Hairy Bikers are back on the road, searching for wonderful seasonal ingredients to create a festive banquet.


Air date: 19th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One

Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off

John Torode and Gregg Wallace are back as Mel Blatt, Richard Blackwood, Duncan James and Faye Winter compete to be crowned 2023 MasterChef Christmas Champion.


Air date: 20th December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One

Nigella’s Amsterdam Christmas Special

The lovely Nigella Lawson is back with a Christmas special this year as she visits Christmas fairs, artisan food shops and some of her favourite spots in Amsterdam.


Air date: 21st December (8pm)
Channel: BBC

The Great British Sewing Bee: Celebrity Christmas Special 2023

Toyah Willcox, Kerry Godliman, Jessica Knappett and Hammed Animashaun will take part in the 2023 Christmas special of The Great British Sewing Bee.


Air date: 21st December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One

The Hit List Christmas Special

Rochelle and Marvin Humes are back for a Christmas special of their popular show The Hit List. George Shelley, Kimberly Wyatt, Una Healy, Rochelle Humes, Marvin Humes, Kitty Scott-Claus, Kate Thornton and Gregg Wallace will take part.


Air date: Saturday 23rd December (6pm)
Channel: BBC One

The Weakest Link Christmas Special

Romesh Ranganathan hosts as a number of celebs try to win money for charity on The Weakest Link's Christmas special.


Air date: Saturday 23rd December (8:10pm)
Channel: BBC One

Blankety Blank Christmas Special

Bradley Walsh is back with a Christmas special of Saturday night entertainment show Blankety Blank.


Air date: Saturday 23rd December (9pm)
Channel: BBC One

Britain Get Singing

Hosted by Roman Kemp, Britain Get Singing will see five groups made up of stars from TV's biggest shows including Good Morning Britain, Love Island, Coronation Street, The Masked Singer and EastEnders - take to the stage in a bid to deliver a show-stopping performance.


Air date: Christmas Eve (9pm)
Channel: ITV/STV

The Repair Shop Christmas 2023

Jay Blades and the team are back for a Christmas special this year

Air date: Christmas Eve (8pm)
Channel: BBC One

Beyond Paradise

Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton will be joined by a number of guest stars during the Beyond Paradise Christmas special, including James Fleet, Isaac Vincent-Norgate, Amalia Vitale Kulvinder Ghir, Sheila Reid and folk group Bellowhead.

Air date: Christmas Eve (9pm)
Channel: BBC One

The Great Christmas Bake Off

Just like past years, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood are back in the Bake Off tent for this year's Christmas special, with hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. George, Sophie, Dan, Amelia, Linda and Carole will all return.


Air date: Christmas Eve (8pm)
Channel: Channel 4

Gogglebox - Best of series 22

Channel 4 are showing a round-up of the best moments from series 22 of Gogglebox, featuring cast members such as Giles and Mary, The Malones, and Ellie and Izzy.


Air date: Christmas Eve (9.35pm)
Channel: Channel 4

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special

Dan Snow, Sally Nugent, Jamie Borthwick, Tilly Amartey, Danny Cipriani, and Keisha Buchanan will take part in the 2023 Strictly Christmas special.


Air date: Christmas Day (4.40pm)
Channel: BBC

Doctor Who Christmas Special

For the first time since 2017, a Doctor Who Christmas special will air this year, introducing Ncuti Gatwa as the 15th Doctor! The special is titled The Church on Ruby Road.


Air date: Christmas Day (5.55pm)
Channel: BBC One

Michael McIntyre's Christmas Wheel

A Christmas special for Michael McIntyre's The Wheel, featuring some very famous stars!


Air date: Christmas Day (6.50pm)
Channel: BBC One

The Masked Singer Christmas Special

Leona Lewis will join usual judges Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Rita Ora, and Jonathan Ross for a Christmas Day special of The Masked Singer, ahead of the brand new series.


Air date: Christmas Day (7.30pm)
Channel: ITV/STV

Ghosts Christmas Special

Following its fifth and final series, it's been confirmed there will be a Christmas special of sitcom Ghosts.


Air date: Christmas Day (7.45pm)
Channel: BBC One

The 1% Club Christmas Special

Lee Mack hosts a festive special of the quiz with all the Christmas themed questions! 100 contestants hope to make the holiday season even more special by winning up to £100,000.


Air date: Christmas Day (8.30pm)
Channel: ITV/STV

The Great Pottery Throw Down 2023

Hugh Dennis, Alice Levine, Joe Swash and Sophie Duker will take part in this year's festive special of The Great Pottery Throw Down.

Air date: Christmas Day (7.30pm)
Channel: Channel 4

Call the Midwife

As Poplar prepares for Christmas, Sister Monica Joan fears this could be her last. Dr Turner and the midwives deal with a complicated multiple birth, and Cyril helps a war veteran.

Air date: Christmas Day (8.15pm)
Channel: BBC One

Mrs. Brown’s Boys Christmas - Mammy’s Mare

In this year's Christmas special, Cathy's decides to cook Christmas dinner for the first time ever, a sentimental decoration has gone missing and there's a surprise dinner guest!

Air date: Christmas Day (10.45pm)
Channel: BBC One

The Piano: Christmas Special

As well as being renewed for a second and third series, Channel 4's The Piano has a Christmas special this year!


Air date: Christmas Day (7.20pm)
Channel: Channel 4

Vera Christmas Special

Brenda Blethyn is back as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope for this year's Christmas special. The episode will also be the final appearance for appearance for DS Aiden Healy, played by actor Kenny Doughty.


Air date: Boxing Day (8pm)
Channel: ITV/STV

Top Of The Pops: Review Of 2023

Clara Amfo hosts the review of the biggest hits of 2023.


Air date: 28th December (6.30pm)
Channel: BBC

The Last Leg Of The Year

Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker are joined by special guests as they present The Last Leg of the Year for 2023!


Air date: New Year's Eve (9pm)
Channel: Channel 4

The Great New Year Bake Off

As well as the annual Christmas special, Bake Off will also get a New Year's special for 2024! Mark, Maxy, Maggie and Jürge will all return.


Air date: New Year's Day (7.45pm)
Channel: Channel 4

Gogglebox: Festive Special

The Gogglebox gang are back for a festive special at the start of 2024, reviewing the biggest shows over the festive period.


Air date: New Year's Day (9pm)
Channel 4: Channel 4

Now read:

Everything you need to know about Cliff Richard's 'Christmas With Cliff' album

Cliff Richard releases new Christmas song 'Heart of Christmas' 🎄

Cliff Richard releases new version of 'Mistletoe and Wine' with Collabro

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