Macca's "mid-life crisis"

Former Beatle reacts to his Brits honour

17 Feb 08 - Sir Paul McCartney has a big week ahead of him: he's back in the High Court on Monday for his divorce hearing, then on Wednesday the former Beatle will perform at the Brits and collect the outstanding contribution award.

He's scored 24 UK number one singles over his career, although the 65-year-old doesn't want this gong to be described as a lifetime award.

"I don't really like lifetime achievement awards because you feel as like you're going to stop any second," he said. "Mid life crisis award I wouldn't mind. Outstanding contribution is all right. It sounds like I've made a big donation to somebody so it's great. It's really lovely and getting any award is special but the Brits is even more."

"Mid-life crisis award I wouldn't mind”
Sir Paul McCartney

Macca will close the show with a live performance and, amid the current media focus on his divorce, his award acceptance speech will also come under scrutiny. But he said they are never pre-prepared.

"No, truth is that I haven't written it and I never do," he said. "I try and just pick up something on the night you know. One of the presenters might say something that's relevant and you go off that or I might just be truly thankful.

"You never know how it's going to grab you. It might just be a silly night or it may be a deeply moving night, I don't know. I'll probably try and work my family in because they're cool and I need to thank them constantly, or they'll kill me."

Andre Paine