Rihanna has an unlikely fan, with Sir Cliff Richard keen to collaborate with her as long as they don't record 'some dance thing'.

British singer Cliff is an icon in his home country, starting his career in the 50s and releasing over 130 singles.

He's known as an easy-listening singer, although he started out as a rock 'n' roll star. Cliff would consider returning to his roots if it meant teaming up with the beauty.

'Somebody asked me if I'd like to sing with Rihanna and I thought 'Who wouldn't?'' he is quoted as saying by British newspaper The Daily Mirror.

'She looks fantastic, she's got a great voice, but in the case of duets, if it's feasible, it's always a matter of what the song is.

"If we both like the song, that's the best way to do a duet. I couldn't just say, 'Yes, I'll come,' and then sing some dance thing I don't like.'

Cliff isn't just turning his attention to Rihanna.

The 71-year-old singer would also like to work with Lady Gaga, although he knows she might need some convincing.

He readily admits he's never achieved huge success Stateside, although his songs Devil Woman and We Don't Talk Anymore did chart highly in the US.

In other countries Cliff is viewed as something of a singing sensation though, meaning he could introduce any duet partner to many new fans.

'Well, Lady Gaga's got a great voice. These people are great singers. It would be dependent on whether they wanted to sing with someone like me,' he mused.

'I have nothing to offer them in America, yet, but in the rest of the world I'm known, so I guess it's feasible to do duets with people like that but it's not just my choice, it has to be their choice as well.'