Police have searched a Berkshire property belonging to Sir Cliff Richard in relation to an alleged historical sex offence.
No arrests have been made and Sir Cliff, 73, who is abroad, said the allegation was "completely false".
Police said the allegation involved a boy under 16.
The BBC understands it relates to an alleged sexual assault at a 1985 event where US preacher Billy Graham appeared at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. How bizarre!
The allegation is believed to have been reported to police recently.
The search in Sunningdale was carried out by South Yorkshire Police, which told the BBC it did not force entry to the property.
The investigation is not connected to Operation Yewtree and police said officers from that operation - set up by the Metropolitan Police to investigate hundreds of allegations in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal - had been notified.
Thames Valley Police said it had assisted the South Yorkshire force with the execution of a search warrant at the property.
Eight plain-clothed police officers in five unmarked cars arrived to conduct the search which ended at about 15:30 BST.
Analysis
By Danny Shaw, BBC home affairs correspondent
In his statement, Sir Cliff Richard complained that the press appeared to have been given advance notice that his home in Berkshire was to be searched - whereas he hadn't been. He was referring to the reporters and camera crew from the BBC who were outside when police arrived.
It used to be common practice for police to let reporters know they were about to raid a celebrity's house or make a high-profile arrest.
It was part of the trade of information and favours between cops and hacks that has so recently fallen into disrepute. Procedures began to change in 2008 when the High Court considered the lawfulness of a search at the home of the football manager Harry Redknapp, who was being investigated for fraud.
The court described as "understandable" his complaint that journalists from the Sun had been present.
Two years ago, the Leveson Inquiry concluded that police operations involving the media should be "controlled more tightly" to avoid the "perception of favouritism" and the "risk of violating the private rights of individuals".
Since then, tip offs have dried to a trickle despite a series of high profile arrests. The media presence at Sir Cliff Richard's home, therefore, was highly unusual - it appears to be a deliberate attempt by police to ensure maximum coverage.
That's not illegal - but there are strict guidelines - and the force may have to justify its approach in the months to come.
Allegations denied
Sir Cliff has responded to the police search of his apartment in a statement, which said: "For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulating online.
"The allegations are completely false. Up until now I have chosen not to dignify the false allegations with a response, as it would just give them more oxygen.
"However, the police attended my apartment in Berkshire today without notice, except it would appear to the press.
"I am not presently in the UK but it goes without saying that I will cooperate fully should the police wish to speak to me. Beyond stating that today's allegation is completely false it would not be appropriate to say anything further until the police investigation has concluded."
Sir Cliff's spokesman said the singer would not be conducting interviews at this time.
According to the BBC's Tom Burridge in the Algarve, Portugal, the singer left his home there on Thursday morning and has travelled with his sister to another part of Portugal for a few days.
The singer, born Harry Webb, is one of the most successful British musicians of all time.
He has sold 21.5 million singles - more than any other male British artist - and is the only performer to have had at least one UK top five album in each of the last seven decades.
He has represented the UK in the Eurovision song contest twice and in 2013 released the 100th album of his career.
He was knighted in 1995 and performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in 2012.
No arrests have been made and Sir Cliff, 73, who is abroad, said the allegation was "completely false".
Police said the allegation involved a boy under 16.
The BBC understands it relates to an alleged sexual assault at a 1985 event where US preacher Billy Graham appeared at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. How bizarre!
The allegation is believed to have been reported to police recently.
The search in Sunningdale was carried out by South Yorkshire Police, which told the BBC it did not force entry to the property.
The investigation is not connected to Operation Yewtree and police said officers from that operation - set up by the Metropolitan Police to investigate hundreds of allegations in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal - had been notified.
Thames Valley Police said it had assisted the South Yorkshire force with the execution of a search warrant at the property.
Eight plain-clothed police officers in five unmarked cars arrived to conduct the search which ended at about 15:30 BST.
 |
| Sir Cliff has an apartment at the Charters Estate in Sunningdale, Berkshire |
By Danny Shaw, BBC home affairs correspondent
In his statement, Sir Cliff Richard complained that the press appeared to have been given advance notice that his home in Berkshire was to be searched - whereas he hadn't been. He was referring to the reporters and camera crew from the BBC who were outside when police arrived.
It used to be common practice for police to let reporters know they were about to raid a celebrity's house or make a high-profile arrest.
It was part of the trade of information and favours between cops and hacks that has so recently fallen into disrepute. Procedures began to change in 2008 when the High Court considered the lawfulness of a search at the home of the football manager Harry Redknapp, who was being investigated for fraud.
The court described as "understandable" his complaint that journalists from the Sun had been present.
Two years ago, the Leveson Inquiry concluded that police operations involving the media should be "controlled more tightly" to avoid the "perception of favouritism" and the "risk of violating the private rights of individuals".
Since then, tip offs have dried to a trickle despite a series of high profile arrests. The media presence at Sir Cliff Richard's home, therefore, was highly unusual - it appears to be a deliberate attempt by police to ensure maximum coverage.
That's not illegal - but there are strict guidelines - and the force may have to justify its approach in the months to come.
Allegations denied
Sir Cliff has responded to the police search of his apartment in a statement, which said: "For many months I have been aware of allegations against me of historic impropriety which have been circulating online.
"The allegations are completely false. Up until now I have chosen not to dignify the false allegations with a response, as it would just give them more oxygen.
"However, the police attended my apartment in Berkshire today without notice, except it would appear to the press.
"I am not presently in the UK but it goes without saying that I will cooperate fully should the police wish to speak to me. Beyond stating that today's allegation is completely false it would not be appropriate to say anything further until the police investigation has concluded."
Sir Cliff's spokesman said the singer would not be conducting interviews at this time.
According to the BBC's Tom Burridge in the Algarve, Portugal, the singer left his home there on Thursday morning and has travelled with his sister to another part of Portugal for a few days.
The singer, born Harry Webb, is one of the most successful British musicians of all time.
He has sold 21.5 million singles - more than any other male British artist - and is the only performer to have had at least one UK top five album in each of the last seven decades.
He has represented the UK in the Eurovision song contest twice and in 2013 released the 100th album of his career.
He was knighted in 1995 and performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in 2012.
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