Sir Cliff Richard has used his autobiography to reveal details about his close friendship with a former Roman Catholic priest.

In his book, titled My Life, My Way, the 67-year-old former pop idol describes Father John McElynn as his "companion".

Sir Cliff, whose sexuality has long been the subject of speculation, met the American former missionary while visiting New York in 2001.

Not long after, McElynn took a sabbatical.

"He hadn't had any thought at the beginning of giving up the priesthood, but when it became clear he was thinking of the possibility, I suggested he might help me with some charitable projects," Sir Cliff's book says, according to extracts published in the Daily Express newspaper.

"That was seven years ago and our arrangement has worked out really well.

"John now spends most of his time looking after my properties, which means I don't have to.

"John and I have over time struck up a close friendship.

"He has also become a companion, which is great because I don't like living alone, even now."

On the years of speculation about his sexuality, Sir Cliff says he is "sick to death" about it but expresses his support for same-sex relationships.

"What business is it of anyone else's what any of us are as individuals," he writes.

"I don't think my fans would care either way.

"Same-sex marriages are perhaps a modern example of how things have changed. I think the church must come round and see people as they are now.

"Gone are the days when we assumed loving relationships would be solely between men and women.

"In the end, I believe, people are going to be judged for what they are.

"It seems to me that commitment is the issue, and if anyone comes to me and says: `This is my partner, we are committed to each other' then I don't care what their sexuality is.

"I'm not going to judge, I'll leave that to God."

Sir Cliff also says while he has twice considered getting married - to dancer Jackie Irving and tennis player Sue Barker - he has no current plans to tie the knot.

"People often make the mistake of thinking that only marriage equals happiness," his book says.

"I may suddenly meet someone and feel differently, but right now I am not sure marriage would enhance my happiness."