CLIFF RICHARD

I don't mean that if you're a Christian, walking close to God, you will immediately gain celebrity. you may fail as an artist, because you may not have what the public want at that time, and you have to be prepared for that.

Someone recommended that I read the Bible, and it was then I discovered that I knew nothing about it.

I can say I have become far more open about what I believe.

When you use music to worship you are not attempting to entertain.

I have tried to have a regular daily intake from my Bible, regardless of how late it is.

I'm very grateful because my fans are very loyal.

When you're out there with thousands of people it's probably better to have a bigger show to look at, and it turned out really well and they videoed it for me.

It's the business I'm in, I can't say that signing things is the favourite part of my career but you know that it has to be done and that there is no pain involved.

But if you have a solid walk with the Lord, then you won't fear that failure.

If you have got the public in the palm of your hand, you can be sure that is where they want to be.

The thrill of hearing your own voice recorded is still there, I still love it, going into the studio and thinking how can I sing this song and between the producers and the musicians you find a way of doing it.

If you can play guitar and sing, you can probably get a gig down the road playing at a restaurant, but don't throw your life away chasing something that is so elusive it will only lead you to regret and may turn you bitter.

But Jesus changes your attitude towards yourself and towards other people.

If I'm going to represent God I have to do it the best I can.

I involve myself in an organisation called Tear Fund.

But Portugal has a peaceful feel about it. I sit on the terrace overlooking the vineyard there and I feel cut off from the world. You need that sort of thing.

There's loads of things you can do to make things easy for your throat, you can drink a bit of lemon and hot water couple of spoons of honey, you can gargle with port, I've done it a couple of times myself - but don't swallow it!

I realised that God has placed Christians everywhere, to support each other, to support the needy in those areas, and that is the thing that I find is a great plus.

But, of course, one relies on the everyday people who just simply like your music, for whom you may not be a hobby but they enjoy being in your presence at a concert.

I have a group of people, about 40, in a local church in Surrey in England, who pray for me regularly.

I've got two places I like to be. Portugal is one.

Of course, when I started my career, like anyone else who was 16 at the time, we were besotted by the rock-n-roll scene from America, and all I was interested in was having a career of my own.

When I became a Christian my confidence grew.

Our industry is full of all sorts of eccentricities and one of them is owning property.

Financial support is one thing, but I always think what becomes really sacrificial is your time.