Cliff Richard has come under fire from a number of disgruntled X users following his comments about the late King of Rock 'N Roll, Elvis Presley.
On Monday morning, Cliff appeared on screens to delve into the highlights of his six-decade-long career in showbiz as well as the release of his new book.
However, when he was probed about whether he ever got the chance to meet his hero Elvis, his answer surprised everyone - especially given he'd previously admitted being "obsessed" with the singer.
"I had one chance through a journalist while I was promoting Devil Woman in the States," Richard began.
"He said, 'I know Elvis', because he knew I was influenced, and he said, 'Do you wanna meet him?'
"I said, 'Yeah'... (but) at the end of the interview though I said, 'Can we put it off?'
Cliff Richard said he didn't want a photo with Elvis because of his weight
ITV
"Because I knew he had put on a lot of weight and I thought, 'If I am having a photograph taken with him and it's going to be hanging on my refrigerator, he's got to look good'."
Presenter Alison Hammond, who was conducting the interview alongside co-hosts Sarah Ferguson and Dermot O'Leary, let out a burst of laughter as she was clearly taken aback by Richard's remark.
Richard continued, however, as he commented: "And I put it off and, of course, then he died."
Hammond took a pop at Richard as she chimed in: "You should never have put it off just because they’re a little bit heavier."
Richard concluded by stating: "If you're a fan of somebodies if you get the chance to meet them, meet them! Even if they've put on weight."
The singer let out a chuckle before Hammond moved the conversation on with a cheeky comment: "Is that why you don’t want me at your house? Anyway..."
A clip of the interview has since gone viral on social media, sparking a number of furious X, formerly Twitter, users to share their thoughts.
Even singer Alison Moyet shared a sarcastic response to the clip as she typed: "See? Being fat can have its upsides."
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Elvis Presley was a huge influence on Cliff
GETTY
Elsewhere, one viewer blasted the singer's comments: "Cliff Richard is vile #ThisMorning."
"Gobsmacked at... Cliff Richard fat shaming the late Elvis Presley on live TV," another weighed in.
And a third hit out: "‘Sir’ Cliff Richard fat shaming Elvis Presley? Who the hell does he think he is?"
Meanwhile, others praised Hammond for her response: "@AlisonHammond bravo for calling cliff richard out for a snide fat shaming comment. Stay as fabulous as you are."
