Ripley Town Council originally planned to have a tribute performance at the Regal after the unveiling of the plaque, 50 years to the day since Cliff sang live with his band The Drifters under his original name of Harry Webb, but those plans have now been scuppered.

Brian Wood, Ripley Town Council clerk, said: "It was Harry Greatorex, Ripley's Mr Entertainment the then owner of the Regal who booked an unknown band called the Drifters and is reportedly responsible for suggesting that the name Harry Webb was not suitable - the rest is history. This watershed in the rise of Sir Cliff is recognised in many publications and by the man himself.

"We were going to unveil it and have a tribute night at the Regal 50 years to the exact day since Cliff played there, but they're digging out a basement at the Regal and it's not suitable at the moment for tributes or anything else.

"I then went to Ripley Leisure Centre and asked if the date was free and they said it was so we tried to arrange a bar and our contact there offered his function room for the gig as well.

"Sadly the Cliff Richard Fan Club said neither venue was suitable, so now we're having the tribute at the Regency Rooms in Ilkeston."

Ann Evison, of the Cliff Richard Fan Club, said: "The reason this event is being held at the Regency Rooms in Ilkeston is simply that the Regency Rooms is an ideal venue for the band who are playing on the night and Ripley Leisure Centre is not.

After due consideration and research, Steve Jackson, who manages the band decided that there was no suitable venue in Ripley for his band to perform at, so, we are travelling to Ilkeston to hold the celebration after the unveiling at 6.30pm.

Ripley Mayor Robert Phillips-Forsyth will unveil the plaque at the Regal, Nottingham Road, Ripley on Saturday, May 3, at 6.30pm