Cliff Richard talks about his live-in priest

For decades Sir Cliff Richard's sexuality has been the subject of speculation. While he hasn't totally cleared up the mystery in his autobiography My Life, My Way, published this week, the 67-year old singer has revealed for the first time that he shares his life – and his home – with a former Roman Catholic priest, Father John McElynn, whom he describes as his "companion" and "blessing".

In the book, written with author Penny Junor, the veteran singer whose hits include Bachelor Boy and Summer Holiday, tells of how he met McElynn, a 53-year-old American, on a trip to New York seven years ago. It appeared to have been a life-changing experience: soon afterwards, the priest took a sabbatical. "He hadn't had any thought at the beginning of giving up the priesthood," writes Sir Cliff, "but when it became clear he was thinking of the possibility, I suggested he might help me with some charitable projects.

"That was seven years ago and our arrangement has worked out really well. John and I have over time struck up a close friendship. He has also become a companion, which is great because I don't like living alone, even now. People often make the mistake of thinking that only marriage equals happiness. I may suddenly meet someone and feel differently, but right now I am not sure marriage would enhance my happiness."

In the book, Sir Cliff reveals his annoyance with speculation about his sexual orientation. "As for my sexuality I am sick to death of the media’s speculation about it. What business is it of anyone else's what any of us are as individuals?" And of homosexual partnerships, he says: "Same sex marriages are perhaps a modern example of how things have changed. I think the Church must come round and see people as they are now. Gone are the days when we assumed loving relationships would be solely between men and women."