Sir Cliff Richard was “thrilled” to celebrate his 86th birthday surrounded by fans on Thursday, as he hosted an afternoon tea in London to mark the occasion.

The award-winning musician held the event a day after his birthday, with a guest list comprised of many lucky fans who were chosen as they pre-ordered his upcoming record Only Number Ones.

Sir Cliff was all smiles as he was surrounded by admirers, posing for photos and chatting away before being presented with a two-tiered birthday cake during the celebrations at the Intercontinental Hotel.

The event was hosted by radio presenter Ken Bruce and involved an afternoon tea, drinks and desserts, while guests were also treated to an exclusive preview of Sir Cliff’s latest studio album.

The new record will be released on November 27, and reimagines classic and contemporary chart-topping singles from the past eight decades.

Sir Cliff said: “I am so thrilled to have been able to celebrate my 86th birthday with my fans.

“They have always been very special to me and are the reason why I continue to make music and tour.

“They helped me all of these years to get to number one and it is great that I am now able to give back with my own versions of number one tracks that I personally love.”

Sir Cliff’s rendition of My Sweet Lord by former Beatles member George Harrison was among the tracks played at the event, along with his version of Roy Orbison’s hit Oh, Pretty Woman – which was released on Wednesday.

His upcoming album features covers of songs such as Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 hit Spirit In The Sky, as well as I’m A Believer by The Monkees and White Christmas by Bing Crosby.

The tracklist is also comprised of former One Direction singer Harry Styles’s first number one as a soloist, Sign Of The Times, along with From Me To You by The Beatles.

Other songs include All I Have To Do Is Dream by The Everly Brothers; Return To Sender by Elvis Presley; Rock Around The Clock by Bill Haley And His Comets and Don’t Give Up On Us by David Soul.

The deluxe edition features 14 of Sir Cliff’s own UK number one singles, including We Don’t Talk Anymore, The Young Ones, Bachelor Boy, Summer Holiday and Congratulations.

Its release coincides with the 67th anniversary of his first number one single Living Doll, which was recorded by Sir Cliff and The Drifters in 1959 and won an Ivor Novello Award.

Sir Cliff is the third best-selling artist in UK singles chart history, having achieved 14 chart-topping tracks, seven number one albums and three Brit Awards in his decades-long career.

A former actor, Sir Cliff is also famed for appearing in popular films including Wonderful To Be Young, Wonderful Life and Summer Holiday.