When rain interrupted play on Centre Court on 3 July with a crowd that included Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent and actress Joanna Lumley,[3] Cliff Richard, who was watching from the royal box, was approached by court officials for an interview.

[4] With approval from his PR manager Richard proceeded to give an impromptu performance, starting with "Summer Holiday".

[5] Past tennis stars Virginia Wade, Martina Navratilova, Hana Mandlíková, Pam Shriver, Liz Smylie, Gigi Fernández and Conchita Martínez were in the Royal Box and proceeded to join in as background singers.

[3][5] Richard was not aware that his performance was televised by the BBC, and after six songs presenter Des Lynam jokingly claimed "we'll probably get one hell of a bill."

The performance made the front pages in many major British newspapers on the following day.