Cliff Richard's house searched

Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

FILE - In this Tuesday, May 13, 2014 file photo, British singer Cliff Richard performs on stage during the first show of his European tour 'Still Reelin' And A-Rockin' at the o2-Arena in Hamburg, Germany. (AP Photo/dpa, Markus Scholz, File)

British police said Thursday they are searching a house believed to belong to veteran singer Cliff Richard in connection with sexual allegations dating back to the 1980s.

South Yorkshire Police said eight officers gained entry to the house in Berkshire, west of London, after receiving an allegation of a sexual nature "involving a boy who was under the age of 16 at the time."

Richard, 73, issued a statement denying the allegations.

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

British police do not name people who have not been charged. When asked about reports on the BBC that the house belonged to Richard, a spokeswoman referred The Associated Press to a statement issued Thursday confirming a Berkshire house was searched. The statement said the owner was believed out of the country, and that no one has been arrested.

Richard is one of Britain's best-known musicians, and has enjoyed a successful career with numerous chart-topping hits spanning more than five decades.