Cliff Richard looks serious at first Wimbledon since he was cleared of ‘sex slurs’ …but we might need another sing-aglong with rain due
Singing legend turns out for day one at SW19
SIR Cliff Richard looked serious at his first appearance at Wimbledon since he was cleared of false sex abuse slurs.
The singing legend, 75, has been ever present at the world famous tennis tournament and was on Centre Court to watch reigning champion Novak Djokovic on day one.
Wearing a grey suit and striped tie, Sir Cliff looked pensive as he tried to unwind after a stressful week since cops admitted there was no evidence for accusations made against him.
As the game went on he got into the spirit of it, cheering along with the action.
With weathermen warning of rain Sir Cliff might have to repeat his heroics of 1996, when he entertained soggy punters with a sing-along when a downpour stopped play.
Other celebs spotted at SW19 today included Bridesmaids star Rebel Wilson, actor Stanley Tucci, Nicola Roberts and James Bond crooner Sam Smith.
Game of Thrones star Alfie Allen, Yasmin Le Bon and daughter Amber, Dr Who actor Arthur Darvill and Made in Chelsea's Ashley James were among the names invited to the Evian Live Young suite.
Despite a dry start The Met Office has warned that rain clouds are on their way, with wet and windy conditions due all this week.
The showers could stretch over the weekend.
Simon Partridge, Met office forecaster, said: “Today will start fine and dry, and we’ll even have some sunny spells.
“Temperatures will be around 21 or 22 degrees C.
“However, this is Wimbledon.
“Through the course of tomorrow the dry weather will make way in the late afternoon.
“It will be a wet end and we would expect them to have to stop play.”
As thousands of tennis fans gather to support Brit stars Andy Murray and Johanna Konta, they would be well advised to pack a brolly.
Simon adds: “It’s a similar picture over the next few days with dry starts giving way to rain.
“Wednesday will see quite heavy rain in the afternoon and between Thursday and Friday there will be breezy showers and stoppages in play.”
Centre Court has a retractable roof which takes between eight and ten minutes to close.
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The wettest Wimbledon on record was 1991, when 69.8mm of rain fell.
It’s not always miserable.
Last year bucked the trend when July 1 became the hottest ever day, with temperatures reaching 35.7 degrees C.
Bookies aren’t expecting that to happen again with Ladbrokes offering just 5/6 on the heavens opening at least once a day until Sunday.
It is also offering 6/4 on record low sales of strawberries and cream.
A slightly longer shot is that bad weather will force a third week of play, with Ladbrokes offering 5/1.
Punters get a refund on their ticket if there is less than an hour’s play on their court due to rain.
Reigning men’s champion Novak Djokovic plays at 1pm against Great Britain’s James Ward.
Roger Federer, Venus Williams and Laura Robson and are also all in action today.
Andy Murray starts his campaign against fellow Brit Liam Broady tomorrow.
The 2013 winner has already reached two grand slam finals this year and is seeded second for the Championships.
She told the Press Association: "He has got a strong team around him so the key is to keep your head down and just take one match at a time."It really is as simple as that and not to jump too far ahead and prepare as well as you can.
"If he produces his best form then he is obviously going to be one of the contenders."
Those not lucky enough to get a ticket for the match could end up watching from a soggy Henman Hill as the Met Office forecasts rain to move in over SW19 by the afternoon.
Away from SW19, the picture is similar across the UK although rain will be heavier and more frequent in Scotland, Northern Irelans and the north of England.
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