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Sir Cliff Richard has forgiven the man who accused him of childhood sexual abuse after turning to God for help, he's revealed.

The White Christmas hitmaker beamed as he appeared on ITV's Lorraine to introduce his new album two years after four men made historical abuse allegations against him.

Sir Cliff, 76, said he's now getting back to normal and has returned to the "business I've loved for so long".

Read More Alex Jones awkwardly asks Cliff Richard why he's on The One Show despite SUING the BBC

Rex Features Sir Cliff Richard 'Lorraine' TV show,

"It's a horrifying, traumatically emotional situation you find yourself in and you don't know how to get out of it.

"The best decision I made was that I wasn't going to say anything until it was over," he went on, saying that his lawyers had commended him on his "dignified silence".

But Sir Cliff revealed his religion helped him come to terms with the allegations, and even helped him forgive his accusers.

Rex Features Sir Cliff Richard 'Lorraine' TV show,

"I never thought God had abandoned me," he said in reply to Lorraine's question. "I felt closer to him – who else could I turn to?

"I forgave my first accuser on the second night [after the allegations were made public]. I woke up thinking, 'how do I survive this if I have hate and vengeance in my heart?'. So I said to God, help me forgive him. I uttered the words, 'I forgive you, whoever you are', and it was a lot easier the next day as I didn't burn with hate and vengeance."

The musician claimed the Pride of Britain Awards helped put in perspective the "suffering and success" that other people deal with, concluding that "success overtakes the suffering".

Rex Features Sir Cliff Richard 'Lorraine' TV show,

He also said that "lots of innocent people [are] accused", and said there "has to be a balance" – echoing suggestions he's made in the recent past about the non-identifying of people arrested for sexual offences.

"Rapists should definitely be sorted out, child molesters should be sorted out," Sir Cliff went on. "But you can't have this amount of collateral damage. I did not like being collateral damage."

Finally, the singer said he's had to change his behaviour around fans to protect himself from further speculation – especially when they bring their young children and to meet him.

Rex Features Sir Cliff Richard 'Lorraine' TV show,

"People have brought their grandchildren, children and I don't know what they turn out to be in 25, 30 years later. I'm a little wary, I try not to touch people too much, but that'll change. That'll all come back," he added.

In June 2016, the CPS confirmed Sir Cliff's case had been discontinued on the grounds of insufficient evidence. A later challenge staged by one of his accusers was also rejected in September.