Bill Latham, former manager and spiritual inspiration to Cliff Richard, has died.

Bill was 84 and had spent a number of weeks in hospital; the cause of his death has not been announced.

He passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning. He had frequent visitors in his final days, including from long-time friend Cliff Richard.

Bill was Cliff’s religious studies teacher before leaving the profession to manage the Christian star.

The pair lived and toured together for decades.

Taking to Facebook, the singer posted a heartfelt tribute with a picture of the pair alongside evangelist Billy Graham.

“Someone I feel as though I’ve known forever has left this life and moved on to a better one.

“Many, if not all of you, will know of whom I write … Bill Latham. He is the one who led me on to that spiritual pathway that changed my life fully and completely.

“He showed me how important it was to be charitable and also be brave enough to speak openly of my faith. Bill was one of those people who you could reliably lean on and I did, many times.”