The Mistletoe & Wine star hasn't returned to the property since it became the focus of a controversial BBC news piece, when police bosses tipped reporters off about Richard's links to alleged sexual offences they were investigating.

The news of the house sale comes from Richard's pal Cilla Black, who tells Britain's Daily Mail, "Cliff told me he's just put the flat on the market. It's the saddest thing for him, but he had to do it. He said he never wants to live there again. It's awful. Cliff is not all right, not at all. He doesn't want to go back there because he's worried this is still hanging over him.

"When the police raided, it was an invasion of his privacy. I can't even advise him because... though I've been through a lot, this is outside my experience. He will never, ever go back there again. I don't blame him."

Richard, who was at his retreat in Portugal when the raid took place, has been interviewed by the police in relation to an alleged decades-old sex offence but he has never been arrested or charged.

The singer has denied the alleged offence, and released a statement which read: "The police have not disclosed details to me... I have never, in my life, assaulted anyone and I remain confident that the truth will prevail. I have co-operated fully with the police, and will, of course, continue to do so."