Singing sensation Sir Cliff Richard left theatregoers stunned when he turned up to see an old friend at a performance at the Palace Theatre.

The star, who topped the charts with Summer Holiday and Mistletoe and Wine, visited Westcliff to see his friend Helen Hobson starring in Educating Rita at the London Road theatre.

After the show Cliff, 61, tucked into fish and chips followed by a bowl of steaming spotted dick at Oldhams Fish Bar in West Road, Westcliff.

Owner Rodney Oldham couldn't believe his eyes when Cliff strolled in with an entourage of about 15 people.

He said: "It was quite a shock when he came in and ordered a fish and chip supper with salad and spotted dick and custard.

"It was an occasion to have a star like Sir Cliff wandering around Westcliff."

Visit - Sir Cliff Richard

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