DJ Neil Fox turned to Sir Cliff Richard for support during sexual assault arrest hell

Radio DJ Neil Fox has revealed he and British music icon Sir Cliff Richard offered one another support - after they were both wrongfully accused of historic sexual abuse.

The former chart show host, who went by the name of Doctor Fox, was arrested at Magic FM headquarters in September 2014 after allegations were made by two separate women.

He was eventually found not guilty of all charges following a trial, where he admitted “over-the-top” chat and “horseplay”, but insisted it was nothing sinister or sexual.

Around a similar time, Richard was also the subject of allegations, though he was never arrested or charged.

Read more: Sir Cliff Richard accepts £2m from BBC towards legal costs

Talking to the Mirror, Fox said of his correspondence with Richard: “We would email each other. I messaged him to wish him the best of luck.

“He wished me luck and said he hoped it was all going well.

“He said he was glad it all worked out. I knew all the s**t he was going through.

“He was incredibly worried and finding it really hard to work. He suffered really badly.

“Even though he was cleared and got compensation, what he really wants is those years back.

“People going through, sadly, a sh***y time clearly try to share intelligence for just a bit of support.

“You want to find other people who understand what you’re going through so you don’t have to explain everything.”

Fox told how he also received support from Nicki Chapman and Pete Waterman, who sat alongside him on the judging panel of early noughties TV talent show, Pop Idol.

Read more: Sir Cliff Richard launches legal anonymity reform petition

He went on the say the fourth Pop Idol judge, X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent star Simon Cowell, was not so forthcoming - he did not contact Fox at all to offer support.

Since the allegations, 78-year-old Sir Cliff has started a petition to change the law so those accused of sex offences are anonymous until charged.