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August 2006

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August 31, 2006 -- Rye and Battle Today

Sir Paul's reprieve

Sir Paul McCartney has won a temporary reprieve from having to demolish the log cabin he built without planning permission on his Peasmarsh farm.

Rother's planning committee has approved enforcement action but will defer this until it considers an offer from the pop legend to remove other eyesore buildings on his land.

Sir Paul is so determined to save the log cabin hide-away he has offered to bulldoze a three-bedroomed house on his land, at Woodlands Farm, and knock down to agricultural barns which have 'a negative visual impact'.

Sir Paul, 64, built the two bedroomed cabin with a gym and annexe, in woodland on his 933-acre estate at a reported cost of more than £1 million ($1.9 million).

He says the buildings are vital to give him and his family privacy, but planners at Rother insist they harm the character of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Sir Paul also owns a town house in St John's Wood, London, penthouse flat in Picadilly, farm in the Mull of Kintyre, flat in New York and a ranch in Arizona. Woodlands Farm has been the family home of Sir Paul, his late wife Linda, and their children for more than 25 years.

Peasmarsh residents have complained of intrusion by the national media while the planning feud has gone on.

A local councillor, who asked not to be named, said: "I was gardening and had someone from the BBC march up my garden path demanding to know where Sir Paul lived. Of course I refused to tell him. Sir Paul is entitled to his privacy."

Some local residents have been on watch at the entrance to Woodlands Farm to ensure no journalists or photographers trespass on the property.

The two surviving Beatles could be reunited to play the Mathew Street festival in 2008.

Talks are taking place to make Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr the highlight of the Capital of Culture celebrations.

Today Culture chiefs confirmed negotiations were taking place - although the official line remained that talks were underway with many performers.

According to a poll by tourism bosses at Enjoy England, it's Daniel Craig.

The new 007 is top celebrity choice, especially if he whisks you off in a sports car.

Second in the poll was domestic goddess Nigella Lawson.

Others in the list include Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles and Sir Paul McCartney.

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August 27, 2006 -- Contact Music

PAUL DELETES HEATHER FOOTAGE

Sir Paul McCartney has deleted film of his estranged wife Heather Mills from a forthcoming film of his life. The movie is largely an account of the former Beatle's US tour last summer, but although the ex model featured in the original footage, he has wasted no time in getting rid of any shots of Mills, with whom he is currently embroiled in a bitter divorce.

A source close to McCartney tells British newspaper The News of the World, "The footage of Heather has not been included in the DVD. Paul wants the release to focus on the music, rather than his family life. "

Work is very much a good distraction from all his worries at the moment."

EXCLUSIVE HEATHER'S NEW NUDE PHOTO SHOOT

Heather Mills stripped off for an amazing erotic calendar shoot at the lodge on her estranged husband's estate.

It was just three weeks ago when the 38-year-old former model summoned a trusted photographer to the picturesque lakeside retreat at Peasmarsh, East Sussex, where she has been staying since her separation from Sir Paul McCartney.

Sir Paul was away in London at the time.

Also at the lodge was her favourite make-up artist and close confidante American Mark Payne.

Heather was determined to look as beautiful and desirable as possible - despite the pain of her split with the Beatles legend.

The lodge used to be one of the couple's favourite places, where they shared quiet, intimate moments together.

She peeled off her clothes and struck a series of different poses. There were 12 in all and Heather wore a different wig as she recreated images of Hollywood icons, including Marilyn Monroe.

The shots - which Heather hoped would form part of a calendar for animal charity PETA's I Would Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur campaign - are said to be "sensational", with her proudly displaying her new lithe form honed from almost daily visits to the gym. Everyone involved was sworn to secrecy.

Last night a source said: "Heather wasn't remotely embarrassed. It's a photographer she has worked with for years and, remember, she has posed naked before.

"She looked amazing and is justifiably incredibly proud of her body. And she wanted to show that, despite the stressful time she has been going through, she is determined to carry on with her life.

"She wanted to have some fun. She feels everyone has been attacking her and had a 'what the heck' attitude."

A friend added: "Heather had a 'revision amputation' of her left leg in April, which left her in a wheelchair for weeks.

"She then lost a lot of weight - more than a stone - when she and Sir Paul split. But Heather has always been a fighter.

"She has been working hard recently at the gym to get back into shape and has also regained some of her confidence in recent weeks.

"She wanted to do something vivacious and sexy and this seemed like a perfect idea."

The photographs were initially to be used for the 2007 calender for PETA, which Heather has long been a dedicated campaigner for.

Her spokesman confirmed: "They are not lewd photographs. They are quite arty. Other celebrities have posed for nude calendar shots before for PETA. Heather hopes they will be used for a campaign for PETA in 2007 or 2008."

But last night it appeared Heather had decided to put the project on hold during her divorce.

A friend revealed: "Heather has decided that at such a sensitive time it's not a good idea to be seen in such seemingly frivolous photographs.

"She wanted to do the pictures to prove a point - but didn't realise how it may appear.

"She has now instructed the photographer not to release them for the time being.

"She says it was just a fun afternoon - very low key - and it wasn't meant to be made public. It was going to be turned into a calendar at a later date."

Heather is currently in Los Angeles holidaying with friends.

But the strain of the divorce is taking its toll and she has almost lost her voice through stress.

A friend insisted that Heather is still suffering emotionally and mentally.

He added: "Heather has got her body back in shape - but she is still suffering mentally.

"She's not sleeping well and is finding the legal wranglings very arduous.

"She was due to make her first personal appearance at a landmine charity event this Tuesday but has had to cancel. Everyone thinks she's as tough as old boots but this has really knocked her for six.

"She has had two-year-old Bea with her for a week but now she's handed her daughter to Sir Paul, who will have her for seven days in East Hampton, New York."

Heather and Sir Paul split in May after almost four years of marriage.

Last month 64-year-old Sir Paul - who is worth around £1billion - began divorce proceedings against Heather, citing her unreasonable behaviour for the breakdown of their marriage.

Heather has since launched a counter-claim.

The Sunday Mirror revealed how the ex-Beatle had offered Heather a £30 million "quick and painless" divorce, which she turned down. And we told how the split had reached ridiculous levels of bitterness when the pop legend sent Heather a legal letter after her cleaner took three half-empty bottles of cleaning fluid from the cupboard.

Police were then called to Sir Paul's house in St John's Wood, North London after Heather was mistaken for an intruder at the £8 million home.

The warring couple have now hired Prince Charles and Princess Diana's divorce lawyers for the battle. Fiona Shackleton - who is William and Harry's solicitor - is representing Sir Paul, while Anthony Julius is representing Heather.

Macca in swingin' sixties

Pop king Sir Paul McCartney looks the perfect doting dad as he pushes daughter Beatrice on a swing.

Macca, 64, smiled happily as he played with the chuckling two-year-old in a park.

He also drove her around in a buggy attached to the back of his pushbike.

Delighted Beatrice lapped up the attentions of the former Beatle during the light-hearted trip in East Hampton, New York.

Sir Paul is in the city to thrash out a divorce settlement following his marriage split from Bea's 38-year-old mum Heather Mills.

A source said: "Paul does everything he can to protect Bea from what's going on. He looked like any other single dad taking his child to the park - except maybe a bit older than most."

Sir Paul McCartney has given £1.6 million ($3 million) to wife Heather's favourite charity after pulling out of a gala dinner they were to host together.

It is the first bill he has had to pay since their acrimonious split - but it definitely won't be the last.

Adopt-a-Minefield cancelled its biggest fundraising event of the year after Macca said last month he couldn't do it with her.

The charity said yesterday: "It was built around the two of them hosting the gala.

"You can understand that it's simply not possible for them to work together although they remain committed to our work."

The charity asked other stars, including Sir Elton John, if they would step in but it could not find a replacement in time for the do in Los Angeles on October 11.

It had to call off the event, which raises £1.5 million to £2 million. Sir Paul, 64, is thought to have given £1.6 million.

Heather, who took up the landmine cause after losing her leg in a motorbike accident, is said to be devastated that the party's off.

Adopt-a-Minefield's director Keith Kelly said: "The event has been cancelled because losing Paul at such short notice meant it was very difficult for us to replace him.

"Paul is not under any legal obligation but he has offered to make a donation. He has agreed to pay the charity for the gala not going ahead. This is not compensation and we have not asked for money.

"He wanted to do this because he realizes that not having the event this year is a big financial blow to us. It usually raises between £1.5 million and £2 million. He's been very generous in the past."

The McCartneys, who have hosted the event for the past five years, are locked in a divorce battle over Paul's £825 million fortune. Heather, 38, has already turned down the offer of a £30 million quickie settlement.

Heather last night apparently offered to miss the dinner when she learned Sir Paul, - the main performer - was pulling out.

A friend said: "She's quite prepared to step back and not attend the event if that will mean he will go and carry on the fundraising because it's vital to save children from suffering loss of limbs and similar tragedies.

"This applies to this or any other event. Her main concern is the charity."

The charity said it had "communication issues" because it had been used to dealing with them as a couple. Mr Kelly said: "Because we're speaking to Heather and Paul as separate individuals it makes it a rather difficult situation.

"In the past they've put out joint statements, but obviously that won't now be happening. There are communication issues in the current environment."

Mr Kelly said that, despite their differences, Heather and Macca were still committed to getting rid of landmines.

"Paul is definitely still a patron and so is Heather. I spoke to her last night and she's talking about organising events in 2007. They both want to help clear landmines and will continue to support us.

"These are hopefully short-term difficulties. We're hopeful it won't impact on removing landmines, and saving lives around the world."

Heather's friend said: "She was really disappointed because she feels the problems in their marriage should not affect the potential victims of landmines. "The amount of money that Paul has raised has done an awful lot of good all over the world and she was absolutely devastated when she heard he had dropped out.

"But she is delighted to hear about the donation."

Heather is currently on holiday in LA and due back in Britain next week. Sir Paul is at his summer retreat in the Hamptons, New York State - on the opposite coast of America to his wife.

And - not surprisingly - it's providing plenty of grist for the tabloids, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips.

Beneath it all, he says, are allegations that Mills, whom the British public has never really embraced, may be a gold digger, and one with a murky past.

Mills, losing the battle for public sympathy, has had to enlist her friends, such as Juliet Gellatley, of Viva Charity, who says, "I've found her very warm, very compassionate, extremely dedicated, very easy to work with; none of the tantrums that are associated with some celebrities, at all."

It had all started so well, Phillips says. Mills marrying McCartney after he lost his first wife, Linda, to cancer, and Mills with a tragic story of her own, having lost a leg in a car accident. She offered McCartney a new beginning and another child, a daughter who will turn 3 in October.

But soon, Phillips says, it all started going very wrong.

"She wanted to be more known as an individual person, for her charity work," observes show business columnist Neil Sean. " He wanted the quiet life, he wanted to live on his farm, he wanted to do a tour every now and again."

And, points out Phillips, a divorce process that began amicably has turned hostile. The high-priced lawyers have been called in. Money's involved. She's been offered a nice chunk of his fortune - some say close to $60 million dollars - but wants more, perhaps $400 million.

"I think it's going to be nasty, whatever happens," predicts BBC Radio host Jono Coleman. " They've now got the mega-lawyers involved, Princess Diana and Charles' lawyers; it means it's going to run and run and run, this story."

Which, of course, the papers love, Phillips adds.

Mills being locked out of the matrimonial home after Sir Paul changed the locks was big news in Britain.

"What we love here in the U.K.," says Sean, "is people, rich people particularly, falling out. We love to see diamonds flying across the floor and people scrambling for them."

What leverage does Mills have? There's always the potential for the spilling of marital secrets, the dreaded kiss-and-tell, Phillips notes. And of course, there's the child.

Asked by Philips which one he'd bet on, Sean replied: "Paul McCartney, definitely. I mean, Paul McCartney, obviously: the power the wealth, everything that he's got, plus, actually, the love of the British public. They like him, they loathe Heather Mills."

One thing is sure, Phillips says: In a scrap like this, nobody wins.

The former Beatle will give a reported £1.6 million ($3 million) to the organisation.

He was due to perform at the annual fundraising event in Los Angeles in October.

The McCartneys are patrons of the charity and have jointly hosted the star-studded gala for the past five years, with a performance by Sir Paul the main attraction.

But Sir Paul, 64, pulled out last month and the event has been cancelled.

The charity confirmed he had offered to make a donation, but stressed he was under no obligation to pay compensation for his missed performance.

Keith Kelly, director of Adopt-a-Minefield UK, said: "This is not compensation and we have not asked for any money.

"Paul is not under any legal obligation but he has offered to make a donation.

"He wanted to do this because he realises that not having the event this year is a big financial blow to us. The event has been cancelled because losing Paul at such short notice meant it was very difficult for us to replace him.

"We have not yet received a cheque so I have no idea how much he will give. The event normally raises 1.5 million dollars (£792,000) to two million dollars (£1,056,000). Whether Paul is thinking of matching that or not, I can't say."

MORE

August 24, 2006 -- This Is London

Macca's marriage split costs him £1.6m already

Sir Paul McCartney is donating £1.6 million to a landmine charity after pulling out of a fundraising event he was due to host with his estranged wife Heather Mills.

The charity concert has now been cancelled and McCartney will have to pay the seven-figure sum as a form of compensation.

The final figure is being negotiated but sources suggested McCartney will offer in the region of $3 million (£1,585,671) for pulling out of the event in Los Angeles planned for 11 October.

It is the first time in the divorce battle that Sir Paul has had to pay out but is certain to be followed by more losses.

He had been scheduled to be the biggest attraction of the gig. But he said that given the timing of his divorce from Mills, it would not be appropriate to take part.

Both are sole patrons and goodwill ambassadors of charity Adopt-A-Minefield. Mills was founding patron and the couple helped set up the charity's British arm.

His move will inevitably raise questions over whether he will quit his role with the charity, which is closely associated with Mills's interest in helping amputees, fostered when she lost a leg after being knocked down by a police motorcycle answering a 999 call in 1993.

McCartney has been the main attraction at the annual Adopt-AMinefield-Gala since its inaugural-concert in 2001. The Beverly Hills event has raised up to $ 2million (£1,057,000) annually - almost half the charity's annual income. Tables at the Beverly Hilton Hotel cost up to $25,000 (£13,200).

McCartney maintained he was still "committed" to the charity but it is thought the concert was too soon after the separation for the couple to appear in public together.

McCartney said: "While I continue to be committed to Adopt-A-Minefield and its critical mission, given the current circumstances, I will not be able to attend the gala this year."

A source at the charity's head office in New York suggested $3 million was the likely sum he would end up paying, far more than the amount the concert raises.

His divorce to Mills is proving extremely costly. The battle for his £825 million estimated fortune is becoming increasingly bitter.

Mills, with whom he has a two-year-old daughter, may hope to receive up to £200 million.

Whenver we see Heather Mills lately she appears gaunt and glum with the weight of the world on her shoulders.

For a thirtysomething who is about to cop for a minimum of £30 million ($56 million) in return for ditching a 64-year-old hubby she's labelled tight and boring, it seems rather put-on.

But then one thing you could never accuse Heather of is an inability to act.

A talent we may see taken to Bafta-levels, if stories that she's currently filming diaries about the misery of her break-up are true.

So al-Qaeda think they've cornered the market in martyrdom videos? Wait until they see the master at work.

For Sir Paul McCartney it was one of the most momentous days of the year - made even more special by the presence of his trusted brother.

Headlining the world's biggest concert, his younger sibling, Mike, was on hand to capture every moment as Live 8's unofficial photographer.

But now, with the exclusive photo diary about to go to press, one prominent backstage guest is conspicuous by her absence - Sir Paul's estranged wife, Heather Mills.

While the 38-year-old former model does appear in some select snaps, she has, intriguingly been cut out of the rest.

On the ex-Beatle's personal website, which promotes Mike McCartney's Live8 Coolpix book, Miss Mills has been left out of all testimonials - and omitted from the named list of celebrities who do appear.

Instead, guests including Sir Bob Geldof, Madonna, Joss Stone, David Walliams and even Jeremy Clarkson are named, while McCartney's estranged wife - who was a vociferous figure on the day - goes unmentioned.

'Both Paul and Mike are really proud of this book because the photos capture some of the most intimate and brilliant images of the day,' said a source close to McCartney.

'The book has been put together really well, it's a very classy affair but the only problem, from the brothers' point of view, was Heather, because she and Paul are no longer an item.

'Given that they've had such a public, acrimonious split, any photos of them published now, showing them kissing, cuddling and giggling like teenagers would simply look ridiculous.

'Not only that, but such pictures immediately date the book and takes away from what Mike is trying to do with this special project - further the philanthropic work of Bob Geldof, Midge Ure and all the performers, including Paul, who gave up their time for free.

'Unfortunately though Heather was a constant presence at Live 8, filming her documentary and mingling with all the stars. Cutting her out altogether, with the aid of digital wizardry, just wasn't feasible. '

'But obviously Mike could be slightly selective with exactly what photos eventually went in the book and which ones didn't. It made sense to pull some of the ones featuring Heather.'

The book, profits of which will go directly to the Live 8 Make Poverty History charity, will have limited editions personally signed by both Sir Paul and Geldof. Miss Mills has not been asked for her signature.

This latest move comes three months after the couple announced their split.

Since this time relations between the couple have become increasingly terse, with McCartney seemingly doing his utmost to exclude the animal rights activist from his life.

As well as changing the locks on the couple's former marital home in London, he issued her with a legal letter after she removed three bottles of detergent without permission.

Mike McCartney's book features black and white, and colour, shots of various celebrities backstage at London's Hyde Park, where the concert was held.

It includes never-before-seen photos of A-list stars including Brad Pitt, Sting and Sir Ian McKellen enjoying the lavish facilities - and plentiful free bar - provided in the VIP area. Last night a spokesman for the publishing company responsible for producing the books, declined to comment.

Mike McCartney confirmed that Miss Mills did appear in it but would not elaborate on whether she had been 'fazed out'.

August 22, 2006 -- Daily Mail

Heather blames Paul as bulldozers threaten her home

Heather Mills yesterday blamed Sir Paul McCartney for a planning row which could see her home bulldozed.

The accusation is the latest salvo in an increasingly bitter - and public - divorce battle. Miss Mills found refuge in a lakeside log cabin on Sir Paul's country estate after their relationship fell apart in May.

But the local council says the cabin, one of two, was built without planning permission and should be pulled down.

Miss Mills is said to blame her estranged husband for failing to have he construction of the cabins cleared by planning officials.

The former Beatle has been letting Miss Mills, 38, use the building so that their two-year-old daughter Beatrice can be close to both parents. Having lost a bid for retrospective planning consent, Sir Paul has now offered to demolish other buildings on his Sussex estate instead of the cabins.

The star says knocking down the buildings - a house and two barns - 'will more than compensate' for being allowed to keep the cabins. Rother District Council is expected to consider the proposal next month.

The move could, however, upset other members of Sir Paul's family. His children Stella, Mary and James are understood to be distraught at the prospect of losing the house and barns.

Their mother Linda lived on the estate - which has been in the family for 25 years - until her death from breast cancer in 1998.

A source said Miss Mills was furious that the home Sir Paul gave her as a refuge during the divorce now faces being bulldozed.

'She is laying the blame firmly at his door since he tried to get away without getting planning permission,' added the source.

'It was always a risky move for him and now it has dramatically backfired.

'Heather is furious. When she gets back from Los Angeles - where she is on holiday - she knows she will have to start some serious house-hunting.

'She hopes to buy a property when the divorce is finalised. She did have a flat in London but Paul bought that off her so that she could buy a barn which is now being used as an office.'

August 22, 2006 -- The Sun

Mucca swoops on Shane

Heather Mills made an unannounced helicopter landing in Shane Richie's garden - to talk about buying his £3 million ($5.6 million) home.

The estranged wife of Sir Paul McCartney dropped in on her way to Heathrow but Shane was out.

A representative for Lady Mucca left a note requesting a formal viewing of the mansion in Denham, Bucks, when she returns from Los Angeles.

Ex-EastEnders star Shane, 42 - who appears in forthcoming Brit flick Flushed Away - has been planning a move for months.

He lives at the mansion with girlfriend Christie Goddard, 28, and son Mackenzie, four months.

A sale to 38-year-old Heather, who claims she is struggling to pay her staff after her split from Beatles legend Sir Paul, could provide the funds for them to relocate. A source said: "There is no doubt Heather has serious money to spend.

"She really likes the house because it is away from prying eyes."

The Sun told last week how Macca, 64, had frozen their joint account because former porn model Heather had been taking out "obscene" amounts of cash.

She bought a barn for £550,000 ($1 milllion) with Macca's money "on a whim" and has told friends she wants ANOTHER house.

Heather is currently consulting lawyers in Los Angeles in a bid to land half of Sir Paul's billion pound fortune.

SIR Paul has offered to bulldoze three eyesore buildings on his East Sussex estate as part of a renewed application for permission for a log cabin - which he has already built.

Rother Council threw out an earlier bid for retrospective approval for the cabin on Macca's 933-acre farm near Rye.

The estranged wife of ex-Beatle Paul McCartney has reportedly been offered a book deal worth up to £1million ($1.9 million)

According to The Observer, publisher John Blake has approached Heather Mills McCartney about the possibility of releasing a book about her marriage to the rock star.

Blake was quoted as saying that such a book would help to counter negative media coverage about the couple's separation, and in particular about Mills herself.

Sir Paul McCartney's determination to save the log cabin he built without planning permission on his East Sussex estate has taken a new twist after he offered to bulldoze one of his houses.

Sir Paul is proposing the drastic action to resolve his long-running feud with the local planning authority, which wants to demolish his beloved wooden lodge and pavilion.

Sir Paul, 64, who is in the throes of an acrimonious divorce from his wife, Heather, said that as part of a planning deal he was also willing to knock down two eyesore barns.

He built the secluded two-bedroom cabin, plus a gym annexe, without permission in the grounds of his 933-acre Woodlands Farm at Peasmarsh, near Rye. He says that the buildings, nestling in woodland overlooking a pond, are vital to give him and his family privacy from prying eyes, but Rother District Council insists that they "harm the intrinsic landscape quality" of the High Weald area of outstanding natural beauty.

The planning committee authorised enforcement action but deferred it until a meeting next month because of the revised application for retrospective planning permission.

At issue is a countryside planning policy that can allow rebuilding after demolition of a house, particularly when it relates to dwellings within a large agricultural holding.

Sir Paul is offering to bulldoze the three-bedroom detached house on his land, known as Beanacres, and is also offering to knock down two agricultural barns which "have a negative visual impact". He says that demolishing the buildings "will more than compensate" for being allowed to keep his log cabin and pavilion.

A supporting statement on behalf of Sir Paul in one planning application said that he had "a requirement for privacy, seclusion and security" that the farmhouse buildings themselves could not provide "due to the proximity of the public footpath that passes by the farmhouse and through the farmyard and also the activities connected with the working farm and machinery movements creating noise disturbance and safety issues".

For Sir Paul, said to be worth £750 million, and his estranged wife, the cabin, which reportedly cost more than £1 million, was the ultimate hideaway. The rest of the McCartney property portfolio consists of a townhouse in St John's Wood, northwest London, a penthouse flat in Piccadilly, a Mull of Kintyre farm, a flat in New York and a ranch in Arizona.

Woodlands Farm has been the family home of Sir Paul, his late wife, Linda, and their children for more than 25 years.

Frank Rallings, the council's head of planning, said: "Members considered the enforcement report and resolved to authorise an enforcement notice but defer any action that might be necessary until such time as the newly submitted planning application has been considered by and determined by the planning committee.

"In the event that the new application is granted then no further action will be taken in regard to the enforcement authorisation. Conversely, if the application is refused then action will be taken in issuing the enforcement notice and this will allow the landowner to appeal against both the planning refusal and the enforcement notice."

Sir Paul's spokesman was not available for comment.

The feisty blonde ­ who complained Beatles legend Sir Paul was tight ­ seems to be making up for his spendthrift ways.

Despite not working for years, Lady Mucca has been trawling the trendiest designer boutiques in La-La land and shelling out big-style.

Her week of pampering has been bankrolled by Macca, who coughs up a "substantial" monthly allowance for pushy Heather and their two-year-old daughter Beatrice despite the bitter marriage split.

Former model Heather, 38, has been stung by claims she is a gold-digger holding out for up to a quarter of Macca's estimated £1billion fortune.

But her spendaholic ways were at the centre of a row over Macca freezing their joint account.

Sources close to him suggest she has splurged her way through a staggering £1million recently.

Heather is punting herself around media execs and studio bigwigs to carve out a showbiz career for when Macca, 64, finally pulls the plug on her allowance, sources say.

An LA insider said last night: "Heather was heard saying she wants to break into TV over here, and in LA everyone is groomed to within an inch of their lives.

"She has the looks and the celebrity background to go far ­ and TV executives have been lapping up her legendary ambitious streak."

Heather's official spokesman said yesterday: "She has a lot of close friends who have helped her out and supported her lately.

"Heather has no immediate future plans ­ other than caring for her daughter ­ because at this stage she does not know how long legal proceedings will last."

Despite a new hairdo with fringe, Heather looked in need of a makeover as she began her spree, decked out in what appeared to be an extended boob tube made of cast-off curtains, slung over her jeans.

She browsed the racks at Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani, and later sped off in her mulberry Chrysler PT Cruiser ragtop.

In between a packed schedule of meeting lawyers and shopping, Heather has been holding advanced talks with PR gurus.

Questions have been raised as to whether she is checking what she would get if she divorced in California, where Macca has a house.

US courts routinely award wives half the shared property when a marriage dissolves.

I love Heather Mills' definition of poverty. In the week she's been whingeing that Paul has closed all their joint bank accounts and left her virtually penniless we see her taking a private helicopter (cost £4,770/$9,000) from Sussex to Heathrow to go on an all-singing, all-dancing holiday to Los Angeles.

Once there the "devastated" Mills still has enough of a sense of humour (or is it wickedness?) to sport a pair of Stella McCartney sunglasess, even though she knows Stella hates her guts and will at this moment be on the phone to lawyers to see what she can do to stop Heather trashing her "brand".

Once in LA the woman we're told feels "lonely and betrayed and isolated" sets about having the time of her life with three mates and heads for Rodeo Drive (in a big flash convertible) for a shopping spree which starts at Giorgio Armani.

God, how her heart must be breaking. And forget all this PR guff about how she looks pale and wan and has lost shedloads of weight. She hasn't.

And she only looks pale and wan in photographs when she's trying to make Paul look like a heartless tosser - a look she achieves by wearing no make-up and letting her hair get greasy.

In terms of the PR battle, I think Heather's lost the edge this week. Her five -star gallivanting has left us all wishing we had her problems - apart from the leg, obviously.

Publisher John Blake, who turned glamour model Katie Price into a literary sensation after her 2004 autobiography, Being Jordan, sold close to a million copies, approached Mills last week with what he claims is a chance for her to stem the tide of negative media attention.

The 'amicable' separation between Mills and McCartney announced in May has rapidly turned nasty, as revelations have emerged about Mills. Her dalliance with glamour modelling - and rumoured flirtation with life as an escort - was followed by him labelling her 'unreasonable' and allegedly barring her from the St John's Wood home they used to share. Now Mills has reportedly travelled to Los Angeles to consult American lawyers, and has even been accused of making a 'video diary' of the separation.

'From her point of view, it would be the best thing to do; to explain all these disastrous stories,' Blake said. 'She is being unfairly treated. It's not all black and white. The whole world could see what she's really like.'

The book would look at how the end of the marriage has been played out in tabloids, what was going on behind the scenes, and how the former model has been portrayed as 'a villain'. She could receive a seven-figure sum for telling the story of the split, said Blake, adding: 'She doesn't need money; she needs profile.'

Speculation is rife over why the battle between the pair has been so publicly fought in the red-tops, a media war also to be scrutinised in a forthcoming ITV documentary, McCartney vs McCartney, to be aired next month.

Some commentators believe the marriage was doomed from the beginning. They claim that Mills's 'murky' past was unearthed by journalists long ago, but had gone unpublished. Once the 'publicity-hungry' former model could no longer be protected by McCartney's lawyers and wealth, or the red-tops' desire to keep on good terms with him, they declared 'open season'. PR consultant Max Clifford said that he had already been approached with a string of revelations about Lady McCartney: 'As soon as she stepped out of line, it was no holds barred.'

One of the latest low points in the spat came last week when Mills was accused of making a 'video diary' of the separation and the increasingly bizarre incidents that have accompanied it. However, Blake claimed that she was doing this to 'keep an eye on the paparazzi'.

Another incident came earlier this month when Mills was photographed with her two-year-old daughter, Beatrice, in her arms, trying unsuccessfully to enter her £8 million former home. McCartney's camp labelled the situation a publicity stunt, saying that photographers had been tipped off. They said that because stories of McCartney's house being bugged had emerged the locks had been changed as a security precaution.

This is something that Mills's entourage, which includes her recently appointed publicist, former News of the World editor Phil Hall, vehemently denies. 'She came to the house and the locks had been changed. She rang the door bell on the gate. A security guard jumped over to let her in, and someone inside called the police. Photographers have been sitting outside there 24/7. We didn't need to tip them off,' he said.

Curtis Brown, Mills's literary agent for her last book, a self-help tome Life Balance, was keen to stress that Mills has an obligation to approach them if she decided to write a book about the marriage.

In the meantime, Mills has signed up Diana's lawyer, Anthony Julius. McCartney is using Prince Charles's solicitor, Fiona Shackleton.

To some, the choice of solicitor is telling. Clifford said: 'Mills sees herself as the victim. She said someone "interfered" with her. But it wasn't her, it was one of her friends, a friend who took her to court.' Relations between the couple took a further turn for the worse, it emerged on Monday, after McCartney refused to allow his wife to collect Beatrice from his home in Peasmarsh, East Sussex. He arranged to meet her at a nearby hotel instead.

Now Mills has reportedly made a trip to Los Angeles to examine the US legal system, which is more stringent with husbands such as McCartney, who have not signed a pre-nuptial agreement.

McCartney's former press aide, Geoff Baker, who cited irreconcilable differences with Mills as the reason that he parted company with McCartney, predictably blames Mills for the press war. His accounts of her are damning. 'All her friends said that she's lost so much weight, that she's not eating, that she's depressed. It's this whole kind of "poor me, I can't eat" thing. But that happens to everyone in a divorce,' he said. Others, such as Clifford, believe that she has less to lose than McCartney by the saga being played out in public.

Whatever happens, Mills is unlikely to be short of cash. Divorce lawyer Paul Aitchison said that she could win as much as £150 million ($282 million)through the divorce if a court decided to 'look at her expectations and the level of compensation that should accompany them', which is in line with current divorce law.

Heather Mills will NEVER be able to talk publicly about her marriage under a sensational £50million divorce offer from superstar Sir Paul McCartney, The People can reveal.

The heartbroken former Beatle is demanding the lifelong gag because he is terrified that his estranged wife will cash in on their bitter split.

Paul, 64, fears Heather will take up a string of invitations to dish the dirt on American TV. She has already rejected a reported £30 million settlement and Macca upped his offer as it was reported she is making a video diary about the divorce.

To protect his image, Sir Paul's lawyers want a court to rule that if Heather, 38, ever breaks the gagging order, she will lose a substantial part of any settlement.

These demands have outraged his estranged wife. One of her pals told The People: "She is spitting blood about this.

"It's as though she is being asked to erase the entire period of her life she has spent with Sir Paul.

"If Sir Paul has his way she will have little option but to walk around in total silence."

Friends claim angry Macca is determined that the divorce battle will not destroy his Mr Nice Guy image. He was horrified when a legal letter accusing Heather of taking cleaning fluid from his Sussex mansion were made public.

One said: "Sir Paul has been the golden boy in the eyes of the British public for so long that it is very uncomfortable for him to read a less than flattering portrayal of his private life. He feels his reputation is being unfairly tarnished. The fear that one day Heather will spill the beans on their relationship is a recurring nightmare for him.

"But with a gagging order in place in his divorce settlement, Paul can satisfy himself with the thought that Heather will never be able to speak again about the marriage in public."

But friends say the former model is furious at what she sees as a smear campaign. This follows a string of sensational stories claiming she once took part in a porn shoot - and had even worked as a high-class prostitute.

Heather has always denied the allegations. She was incensed by an allegation that Paul's fashion de-signer daughter Stella, 34, had told her dad in a phone call that she believed the call-girl story - and made scathing remarks about her work with an anti-landmine charity.

A close chum of Heather told The People last night: "She has had more than her fair share of mud thrown at her.

"Heather believes that she has behaved more than reasonably and would never want to disclose private things about her marriage to Sir Paul.

"But there ARE certain matters she would want to set the record straight over. Yet under the terms of Sir Paul's proposed divorce settlement she will have to remain silent for the rest of her life."

The pal added: "It is an absolute nightmare for Heather.

"She thinks the gagging order is unreasonable because people will always want to ask questions about their marriage - even if they are quite innocent and not looking for dirty details.

"At the moment Heather is the one who has had to face a whole string of very hurtful allegations against her. She has come out of the marriage without much sympathy on her side from the public.

"And like any human being she deserves the chance to put right any misconceptions about her." The People has learned that Heather has received a string of requests for her to appear as a guest on TV chatshows including the prestigious Larry King and Martin Bashir shows in America.

This week she and a group of aides dubbed Team Heather were seen filming with a camcorder, sparking rumours she was making a video diary of her divorce for TV.

Sources say it was an "insurance policy" to put pressure on Macca. But Heather's spokesman claimed she was merely filming photographers who pester her.

Heather has hired top divorce lawyer Anthony Julius who won Princess Diana a £17million payout when she and Prince Charles split. Sir Paul has hired Fiona Shackleton - who represented the Prince of Wales against Diana.

Meanwhile, as the acrimonious battle drags on, Heather and Sir Paul are no longer on speaking terms. They now communicate only through a third party.

The couple, who have a two-year-old daughter Beatrice, first met in 1999 and got married in a blaze of publicity in 2002.

In a world exclusive in June The People revealed how the shock break-up had left Heather a gaunt and lonely figure. We showed pictures of her on a Sussex beach near her home looking painfully thin.

They announced they were parting soon afterwards and Sir Paul later filed for divorce citing Heather's "unreasonable" behaviour. At first Heather was ready to accept a £20 million "quickie" divorce settlement to avoid unnecessary aggro.

But she decided to fight after she was branded in the press as "a desperate money-grabber".

She was enraged when Macca changed the locks at their luxury London home, claiming it was part of an orchestrated campaign to wind her up.

Heather also accused Sir Paul of being mean with money. And she said he became boring and selfish after they had tied the knot.

The bugged conservation with Stella - revealed by The People last week - was the final straw.

Heather's legal team are set to use it as evidence of the kind of provocation she has had to endure from the McCartney camp.

They will also use it to challenge the fairness of Sir Paul's demand for a gagging clause.

Heather now plans to get the divorce case heard in America, where courts are more likely to give her a huge slice of Macca's £1billion fortune. Friends say she could pocket up to £200 million.

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