Sir Cliff 'bigger than the Pope'

Chart-topper: Sir Cliff Richard leaves the Pope trailing

Pop veteran Sir Cliff Richard is the best-known living Christian, beating the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury, according to a survey carried out in the UK.

The Pope came seventh in the survey

The 59-year-old topped the poll of more than 3,600 shoppers in town centres throughout the country carried out for London-based Premier Christian Radio.

The singer, who is currently enjoying his second week at number one in the UK pop chart, pipped the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, while the Prince of Wales was third.

Former Lebanon hostage Terry Waite took fourth place, the Queen fifth, rock star Bob Geldof sixth, with the the Pope trailing in seventh place.

American evangelist Billy Graham ranked eighth, former boxer Frank Bruno ninth, and ex-Goon Sir Harry Secombe was 10th.