Cliff Richard, the singer best known for the hits "Devil Woman" and "We Don't Talk Anymore," says that sexual allegations made against him are "completely false."

The songwriter is accused of having a relationship with an underage boy in the 1980s.

"A search warrant was granted after police received an allegation of a sexual nature dating back to the 1980s involving a boy who was under the age of 16 at the time," South Yorkshire police said in a statement.

"No one has been arrested and the owner of the property was not present."

Richard issued a statement of his own, saying that the charges are false.

"For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulating online. The allegations are completely false."

Richard also expressed anger that the media were alerted to the police search.