By Ian Youngs
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Sir Cliff Richard has launched a campaign to make chart history by returning to the number one spot.
The veteran star has had chart-topping hits in five decades, from the 1950s to the 1990s, and now wants six in a row.
A new song, Thank You For A Lifetime, is being released next month to mark the 50th anniversary of his first hit.
He said: "I may be greedy, but to notch up a number one after 50 years would be just fantastic. I've got the song, I can only hope for the support."
Sir Cliff's first UK hit, Move It, reached number two in September 1958.
Living Doll was his first number one the following year, and he has since had 13 further best-sellers. The last was The Millennium Prayer in 1999.
Thank You For A Lifetime will be released on 8 September and a message on Sir Cliff's official website urged all fans to buy it.
"With the singles market gradually dying, and changes to singles charts, this could be the last chance for Cliff to achieve his 'sixth decade' ambition," it said.
The single will be backed by a previously "lost" track, Mobile Alabama School Leaving Hullabaloo.
It was recorded in 1977 but Sir Cliff has no recollection of the session. It was mis-filed in the archives and has only just been unearthed.
As well as being the B-side on the single, it will appear on an eight-disc retrospective that is also due out next month.
Sir Cliff is expected to launch a major publicity drive around the releases, with an autobiography to be published at the same time.
Thank You For A Lifetime will be available over the counter only at Woolworths, who have decided to make an exception to their recent decision not to stock singles. It will also be on sale as a download.
(BBC)
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