Sir Cliff's debut single from the album has already been released

Love... The Album was originally priced at �7.99 but Sir Cliff said the price would drop if enough people ordered it ahead of its download release.

The "inverse auction" meant that for every pre-order, one penny was slashed from the starting price. All fans will now pay the same price for the record.

"I knew it. Never underestimate a Cliff Richard fan," Sir Cliff said.

"In half the predicted time well over a thousand of them have hit their computers and triggered a cut price online bargain for my latest album.

"That's many, many more than those who bought online last time," he added.

The record features covers of Daniel Bedingfield's If You're Not The One, Air Supply's All Out Of Love, Ronan Keating's When You Say Nothing At All, as well as some of Sir Cliff's hits.

Earlier this month it was announced that the 67-year-old would play London's Wembley Arena for the sixtieth time in his career next year.

The singer, known for hits like Living Doll, will play three nights at the venue as part of his Time Machine tour, celebrating 50 years in music.

Love... The Album will be released in shops on 19 November.