( CNN ) -- British singer Cliff Richard has denied an underage sex allegation dating from the 1980s as `` completely false . '' South Yorkshire police searched Richard 's home in Sunningdale , Berkshire , on Thursday as part of an investigation into the alleged offense . `` 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 , '' police said in a statement . Thames Valley police confirmed it had assisted South Yorkshire police in the execution of the search warrant . Richard , 73 , issued a statement denying the allegation . `` For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulating online , '' he said . `` Up until now I have chosen not to dignify the false allegations with a response , as it would just give them more oxygen . '' The singer said that he was not presently in the United Kingdom and that police had given no notice of its search `` except it would appear to the press , '' but that he would cooperate fully with its inquiry . `` Beyond stating that today 's allegation is completely false it would not be appropriate to say anything further until the police investigation has concluded , '' Richard said . Richard -- born Harry Rodger Webb -- has sold more than 250 million records in a career that began in the 1950s . His first No . 1 hit in the UK was in 1959 with `` Living Doll . '' Richard was knighted in 1995 . 'Sons of Guns ' reality star arrested , accused of child molestation .
Police search home of British singer Cliff Richard . They said they were investigating a sex allegation from the 1980s involving a boy . Comment: The singer said he would cooperate fully with the police .