JOHNNY VEGAS - VEGAS IN MOCKING CLIFF SPEECH

British comedian JOHNNY VEGAS sparked outrage at SIR CLIFF RICHARD's induction into the new UK HALL OF FAME by mocking the pop legend in a bad-taste speech.

Vegas infuriated bosses of British TV network CHANNEL 4 - who filmed the Thursday (11NOV04) event for TV broadcast - by filling his 15-minute speech with inappropriate comments aimed at Richard, and refusing to read from the autocue provided for him.

Speaking about the knighted singer, Vegas said, "This autocue was obviously written for someone else and I've been brought in at the last minute.

"There's lots of stuff about me being a fan of Cliff but not being gay. Which suggests that he is, but he's not. Anyway, this is Channel 4, let their lawyers sort it out."

A spokesman for Channel 4 - who are planning to cut most of Vegas' outburst when the show is screened tonight (14NOV04) - hits back, "Johnny really ruined the feel of the evening and everyone is really upset about it."