Paul McCartney delights followers as he brings former Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr on stage to play drums at his epic London gig – 5 years after they final carried out collectively

Paul McCartney delighted fans as he brought his former Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr on stage at his epic London gig. 

The legendary frontman, 82, took to the stage for his Got Back tour at The O2 in Greenwich on Thursday.

Paul invited Ringo, 84, from the audience to join him on drums for hits Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Helter Skelter.

The pair looked delighted to play together as Paul wrapped his arm around Ringo in a touching moment for fans.

Paul and Ringo’s performance was the first time the old friends have played together in five years, last taking to the stage for Macca’s Freshen Up tour in 2019.

The music legend also called on Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood to perform Get Back with him.

For his performance the previous night, Paul was full of personal anecdotes as he took to the stage at London’s O2 arena 

Reflecting on his years with The Beatles, Paul revealed the touching impact of the band’s famous show in Jacksonville, Florida. 

The Liverpudlian foursome were set to play the Gator Bowl in the city in 1964, however they were told the audience would be segregated by colour.

Recalling the story, Paul told the crowd: ‘We didn’t quite sort of understand it until we went there and we were playing a place called Jacksonville in the South. 

‘And the promoters said “Ok tonight you are playing to a segregated audience.” And we said “What are you talking about?” 

‘They said there will be black people on one side and white people on the other, and we were like “No, I mean why would you do that what is the point?”‘ 

He continued: ‘So we refused to play it [segregated] and we did play it and it was integrated.’ 

Revealing the touching impact from the show, he continued: ‘Just the other day I got a text from this girl who was there at the time, she was a black girl and she was sitting with some white kids. 

And she said “I had never sat with white people before.” Imagine that, but she said “I loved it because we were all just Beatle fans screaming and it didn’t matter”.’ 

Paul also paid tribute to John Lennon during the set as he spoke about his late bandmate and friend. 

Discussing how attitudes towards male emotions have changed he explained how back in the day it was viewed as strange to tell your friends you loved them. 

He told the crowd: ‘Even in a group you couldn’t turn to your mates and say “I love you man,” it just was not done you know.’

In an emotional tribute the star then performed a rendition of the band’s 1969 hit Something on a ukulele gifted to him by the late George Harrison. 

Meanwhile Paul gave The O2 Arena a veggie makeover for his final shows of 2024 with none other than Linda McCartney Foods.

The Band on the Run inspired Van on the Run food truck was outside the venue offering Linda McCartney’s Best Burgers, Korean chicken bites, Vegemince Chilli nachos and Vegan Sausage corndog with chips.

Like Paul’s music has changed the world, Linda McCartney’s love of animals inspired her to become the meat-free food pioneers since 1991, and has changed the way that the UK eats plant based food.

Rebecca Fairbairn, Head of Marketing at The Hain Celestial Group, said: ‘We’re excited to be taking over concessions inside the arena for a celebration of music and plant-based living. 

‘While Paul McCartney has been inspiring generations through his music, Linda McCartney Foods, which is part of Hain Celestial Group’s global family of brands, has been pioneering plant-based living for over 30 years so this is a perfect collaboration of our shared values. 

‘We look forward to giving fans a taste of our delicious, sustainable range for this unforgettable event and sharing the family’s best recipes!’