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February 29, 2008 -- New York Post (Page Six)

Sightings

Paul McCartney and his Republican close friend, Nancy Shevell, in East Hampton over the weekend.

Paris Fashion Week: Stella McCartney / Valentino

Fashion and music intertwined at the Paris prêt-à-porter season yesterday as two daughters of pop-stars unveiled their collections for next autumn/winter.

On one hand was Stella McCartney, daughter of Sir Paul McCartney, whose hits are two numerous to mention, and on the other, Alessandra Facchinetti, whose father is Roby Facchinetti, the Italian Euro-pop-baron of the 60's and 70's, most recently famous for penning the theme tune for the Atalanta football team.

McCartney and Facchinetti, who was making her debut at Valentino, opened the schedule with differing viewpoints on how their upscale customers would like to look in the coming winter.

McCartney offered an ode to the modern medieval woman with long cloaks and cardigan coats in wool-felt, handmade by village artisans in Somerset, which were printed with heraldic symbols and faux coats-of-arms. Blanket-inspired knits, in earth-toned stripes enfolded the body. Suits and coats with wide, kimono-sleeves were in the same wool-felt, in muted charcoal and metallic silver.

Long dresses in muslin, silk and paisley print, were reminiscent of a Maid Marion or Guinevere, and came in forest tones of sage, ivy, autumn-orange and leaf-brown, with off-the-shoulder necklines in hand-crochet and billowing sleeves, caught at the wrist.

Shorter, smock-styles, in sky blue chiffon, were cinched with wide-belts and accessorized with knee-high boots in hand-woven, shaggy-finish wools, while ultra-short, body-hugging dresses in heavy black and cream crochet or chiffon, detailed with silver, illustrated just how high hemlines have risen since the Middle Ages.

Secrets of Macca divorce deal to be made public ... and Heather gets less than she wanted

Intimate details of Sir Paul McCartney's multimillion-pound divorce from Heather Mills will be made public by a High Court judge.

Mr Justice Bennett has warned McCartney he is planning to make his judgment public because of the "overwhelming interest" the divorce case has attracted.

Sources close to the case have said they expect Ms Mills, a former glamour model, to receive between £20 million ($39 million) and £30 million ($58.6 million)- a huge sum but still far less than some estimates.

The figure is significantly less than the £55 million ($107.5 million) Ms Miss reportedly expected to receive.

The decision to make the settlement public is a highly unusual move which could embarrass the ex-Beatle but it will end wild speculation over the size of Ms Mills's payout.

One source close to the case said today: "The judge is considering making his judgment public.

"He feels there has been so much speculation that it would be in the public interest to end all the rumours. He has told McCartney and Mills he is considering doing that."

A separate source confirmed Mr Justice Bennett's plan to make his judgment public at a hearing provisionally set for March 17 at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Sir Paul, 65, and Ms Mills, 40, have been told to keep their diaries clear for that day.

The source suggested Mr Justice Bennett may produce two judgments - one for the public which avoids all mention of provision for the couple's four-year-old daughter, and a full version for Sir Paul, Ms Mills and their legal advisers.

The sources said a major sticking point during the six-day High Court hearing this month centred on just how long the couple had lived together.

Sir Paul's lawyers argued Ms Mills deserved a payout based only on his earnings during their four-year marriage.

Ms Mills, who represented herself in the High Court, claimed that calculations should be made based on the six years beginning from when they first started seeing each other.

The other major area of contention was McCartney's actual wealth and his earnings during the period he was with Ms Mills.

Rich lists claim he is worth £825 million ($1.6 billion), he claims it is much less and Ms Mills suspects he is worth more than £1billion ($1.9 billion).

The judge will have to weigh up which analysis of Sir Paul's wealth is the more accurate, using it as a basis for a final settlement.

A legal source said Mr Justice Bennett has indicated Ms Mills should receive 50 per cent of his earnings for either the four years of their marriage or the six years of their relationship.

The source said: "If the judge decides McCartney's profits rose by £60 million ($117 million) during their time together then Mills gets £30 million. If it has gone up by £300 million ($586 million) then she stands to gain £150million ($293 million).

"I think it's likely she will get £20 million to £30 million."

The decision to make the settlement public - although highly unusual - is not without precedent.

A spokesman for Sir Paul refused to comment today and a spokeswoman for Ms Mills, based in Los Angeles, refused to speak.

Macca's ex takes daughter Beatrice to theme park

Heather Mills has been relaxing after her recent High Court divorce hearing by going to Disneyland Paris for the weekend.

She took 4-year-old Beatrice, her daughter with Sir Paul McCartney, to the theme park on a £4,000 ($7,772) 3-day break.

The ex-glamour model seemed in good spirits as she waits to find out how big a slice she'll get of Macca's estimated £850m fortune.

'She knows she's in for a big award, but in the meantime she just wanted to show Beatrice she's still her main priority,' a source tells the Daily Mirror.

Heather, 40, who was accompanied by a female pal and a minder, was snapped queuing for ice creams with Bea.

She was also seen enjoying a carousel ride and playing at the resort's arcades.

Heather and Sir Paul, 65, who picked up the Outstanding Contribution To Music award at Wednesday's Brits, will find out presiding judge Mr Justice Bennett 's ruling in the next few weeks.

Sir Paul McCartney may have got a Lifetime Achievement Brit Award but he's not finished yet ­ he's working on a new album.

Fresh from his headlining appearance at the Brits on Wednesday and last year's well received 'Memory almost Full', the former Beatle has just started recording material for a new release this year.

His spokesperson says, "Paul started recording last week, but he has been writing for a while. It should be ready by the summer."

And McCartney has chosen a surprising collaborator for the project ­ he's working with producer Youth at his studio in Icklesham, East Sussex, who is more noted for his work on more upbeat fare.

Mucca is incensed that Macca wants Bea's step-sister Stella on a board of trustees being set up to look after the four-year-old's financial future.

Heather, 40, has vowed to challenge the move-taking the matter to court if neccessary.

She has long been an sworn enemy of 35-year-old fashion designer Stella and blasted: "Keep that woman away from my daughter and my life."

Sir Paul is adamant he wants Stella to play a key role in Bea's future-in case anything happens to him before her 18th birthday.

But a source revealed: "Heather wants none of it, and has told Paul in no uncertain terms that she will fight any role Stella has in Bea's life."

She and Sir Paul are currently sweating on the result of their court divorce settlement-and how much of Macca's £825 million Heather will actually get for the four-year marriage.

Meanwhile Mucca was also angered by Macca pulling the plug on a divorce deal over her security-claiming it could lead to her being attacked.

Sources say she screamed at him in a furious row last week: "I'll be dead in three months."

After his experiences with Heather, we're amazed that Sir Paul McCartney still seems so interested in models...

The former Beatle was spotted photographing beauties in racy underwear as they queued to get pictures of him backstage.

We were told: "Agent Provocateur hired loads of promotional girls in skimpy undies. They were all taken with Macca, and he seemed keen on them too - so much so, he got his camera out and started snapping away."

No more lonely nights, eh?

February 22, 2008 -- NME

Paul McCartney's pinches unique Brits souvenir ­ Tabloid Hell

Sir Paul McCartney celebrated his Outstanding Achievement Award by pinching the Brits scenery.

Apparently the statuette presented to the former Beatle wasn't enough for him so he bagged a slightly bigger souvenir.

According to The London Paper Macca spied one of the giant Brit Awards replicas in the backstage area, picked up the two-metre tall model and made off with it.

"It was hilarious, he just disappeared," an onlooker told the paper. "He looked like he was really having fun."

Meanwhile McCartney was also making friends in the gossip community, telling notorious blogger Perez Hilton: "I've read about you."

I FEEL for the viewers who missed out on the full MACCA set from The Brits.

ITV shunted Sir Paul on to ITV2 towards before some memorable tunes.

Viewers on ITV1 did see him sing Dance Tonight and dedicate classics Live And Let Die to his beloved first wife LINDA and Hey Jude to JOHN LENNON.

The ear-bursting pyrotechnics on Live And Let Die were a high point - though I nearly had a heart attack when the fireworks exploded.

Paul was still belting out hits as he moved channels, even joking: "We're on ITV2, where no one ever goes."

The legend then did Lady Madonna and Get Back.

Not long after the show he headed home so he could take daughter Bea to school next day.

What a lord.

Macca makes the Brits a night to remember with greatest hits set

The 8,000-strong audience at Wednesday night's Brit music awards will no doubt still be savouring the final moments of the ceremony when living legend Sir Paul McCartney treated them to a 15-minute set featuring some of his greatest hits. The former Beatle had the Earls Court Arena audience on its feet and joining in a mass sing-song.

He was there to collect his first ever Brit award ­ for outstanding contribution to music ­ from Aussie singer Kylie Minogue.

Receiving his award a delighted Macca told the crowd: "It could go to anyone, but I'm getting it and I'm chuffed." In his brief speech he added: "I'm hugely privileged to have been in The Quarrymen, The Beatles, Wings and the solo stuff. I just think British music is the best." His fashion designer daughter Stella McCartney was among those cheering him on as he performed Bond theme Live And Let Die, which he wrote with late wife Linda, Beatles classics Hey Jude, Lady Madonna and Get Back, as well as Dance Tonight from his latest album.

Video clips chronicling his life contained photos of Linda and early pictures he took of his brother in the garden of their Liverpool home. The 65-year-old Scouser paid tribute to both his late wife and former band-mate John Lennon. "Live And Let Die is the song that reminds me of Linda. Hey Jude reminds me of John," he told fans.

I woke up after the Brits and was watching Perez Hilton on This Morning with Eamonn and Ruth, always a disappointment when it's not Fern, anyway I was watching Perez Hilton prattle on about how everyone was having kittens because Amy Winehouse hadn't shown up for a rehearsal and that she was drunk and madder than a box of frogs. And none of it was true. None of it.

Amy was there, very together, and she stuck her tongue out at me. She seems to do that a lot these days but I still felt privileged. That's the kind of fun stuff that happens at the Brits. That and being in a dressing room sandwiched between Kylie Minogue and Paul McCartney.

Backstage with Ricky Wilson from the Kaiser Chiefs with Paul McCartney

It's not like a festival where it's all muddy and your highlight is spotting the bass player from some indie band. You get to spy people like David Tennant and proper celebs, such as Simon Pegg. He told me that he'd just been filming the new Star Trek - he's Scottie, for gawd's sake. You don't get that kind of chat by a portaloo in a boggy field.

After we did our performance, we came back and loads of people were at our table, standing on our chairs. It didn't matter. It's not a wedding.No one was hurrying us back to our table either. They weren't bothered where we were, a clear signal we hadn't won anything.

I had the Klaxons and Take That to talk to anyway. Mark Owen was telling me and my girlfriend how wonderful it was having children and that I should have kids. I kept trying to hush him up. They are great, real pros - though I would not have imagined 15 years ago that I'd be losing out on a Brit to Take That. Ridiculous. My highlight and, on reflection lowlight, was playing a song on the ukulele to Paul McCartney. I was a bit drunk and over excited. I don't think he enjoyed it. He was riding out the storm.

Performers at this years BRIT Awards have all received a huge sales boost following the awards ceremony on Wednesday (February 20th).

Sir Paul McCartney, who picked up the outstanding contribution award, has seen sales of his recent solo album, 'Memory Almost Full', rise by 515 per cent.

Arctic Monkeys, who were the nights big winners taking home the Best British Album and Group awards, have seen sales of their second album, 'Favourite Worst Nightmare', rise by per cent.

The impact of the BRIT Awards on artists' music sales is continuing to grow year after year.

Last year, the music industry earned an additional £4 million ($7.7 million) thanks to the publicity created by the ceremony.

To see all the stars arriving at the ceremony go to our arrivals gallery, HERE.

To see all the onstage action from this years BRIT Awards, including Sir Paul McCartney and Amy Winehouse, CLICK HERE.

In a clear snub to Ms Mills, he closed the glittering ceremony with a medley of hits, including the Bond theme Live And Let Die, a song he wrote with Linda in 1973. His 15-minute performance earned a standing ovation from the 8,000-strong audience.

Meanwhile, Kanye West and Kylie Minogue were named international solo acts of the year. Foo Fighters took prizes for international group and international album of the year for Echoes Silence Patience & Grace.

The show, was hosted by Ozzy Osbourne and his family.

Doctor Who star David Tennant, Gossip singer Beth Ditto and Michelle Ryan, the Bionic Woman star, also appeared.

But the night belonged to Sir Paul. Remarkably, this was his first Brit. Those expecting a reference to his recent woes were left disappointed, as he gave only the briefest of speeches.

"I'm hugely privileged to have been in the Quarrymen, the Beatles, Wings and (to have done] the solo stuff," he said. "British music is the best."

Beatles classics Hey Jude, Lady Madonna and Get Back completed his set, along with Dance Tonight from his latest album, Memory Almost Full.

Prior to accepting his award, the 65-year-old said: "It's actually not (for] lifetime achievement. I try to avoid those because it feels like you're going to die the next second."

If the show was any indication, the 65-year-old music icon ­ who spent last week at London's Royal Courts of Justice trying (unsuccessfully) to hammer out a divorce settlement ­ has all but erased Heather Mills from his life. There were no photos of the former model in the video-montage shown during his five-song set, while there were nine shots of his late wife, Linda. ("That's my mum!" McCartney's daughter Stella yelled happily as the images lit up the screen.)

McCartney also paid tribute to John Lennon in his rollicking set, playing "Hey Jude" as his former bandmate's son, Sean, looked on from the 8,000-strong audience. Mark Ronson, who picked up the award for male solo artist, put his arms around his parents and sang along, pumping his arm in the air.

McCartney ­ who has been linked to several women since his 2006 separation, including Rosanna Arquette ­ said he's doing "fine" despite the divorce drama. "I'm better than ever," he told reporters. "I'm enjoying life."

Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney prefers recording music at London's famous Abbey Road Studios - because he feels close to his dead bandmates when he is in the building.

The facility is closely associated with the Beatles, who recorded nearly all of their music there between 1962 and 1970.

And McCartney feels as though he steps back in time whenever he walks through the door. He says, "John (Lennon) and George (Harrison) aren't here, so, when you go to Abbey Road, that's the nearest (to a Beatles reunion) that I'm gonna get. It's just as if I've come in on a Beatles session."

While Paul was hanging out backstage at the BRITs he took time out from his press duties, rehearsals and Award stealing to hang out with some fans and special guests that had been lucky enough to attend this year's Awards. WATCH VIDEOS

BRITS Setlist (PHOTOS)

Dance Tonight
Live and Let Die
Hey Jude
Lady Madonna
Get Back

Sir Paul McCartney put aside his problems in his personal life to receive the coveted award for outstanding contribution to music at the Brit Awards.

Less than a week after the former Beatle appeared in court to thrash out a divorce settlement with his ex-wife Heather Mills, he was greeted with rapturous applause as he accepted the award at London's Earls Court.

On a night otherwise dominated by younger acts, the veteran rocker closed the ceremony with a medley of his greatest hits, including Hey Jude, Lady Madonna and Live and Let Die, which brought the audience of 8,000 to their feet.

Sir Paul, who rehearsed for finale in between court appearances this week, had previously turned down the Outstanding Contribution award because he believed it implied his creative days were over.

However, speaking before he went on stage, he said he was delighted with the award and thrilled that people of all ages were still buying his records and those of The Beatles.

"It's human instinct to feel good when we get an award or any kind of praise, because it's validation. When people like what you are doing it's a big deal," he said.

"It's wonderful to get an award. It could go to anyone but I'm getting it and I'm very chuffed. It's much appreciated."

Paul McCartney concert will help pay LIPA student fees

Cash from key cultural events ­ including Sir Paul McCartney's Anfield concert ­ will be used to help Liverpool's Fame School lure the country's most talented performing arts students to the city.

The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) is one of two organisations that will receive cash made from a ticket ballot system set up for events including the Liverpool Sound concert.

The money will be used to help LIPA compete with the country's more established arts institutes to attract the cream of artistic talent to its courses.

The Liverpool Culture Company expects LIPA, along with another charity, to share around £300,000 raised from the ballot for June's event at Liverpool FC's ground.

Details of the plans emerged as LIPA revealed they had put plans to become a university on hold.

LIPA had planned to ask for permission to award its own degrees, rather than using John Moores University to award them, but has been put off by the £100,000 ($192,000)start-up costs involved. Mark Featherstone-Whitty, founding principal of LIPA, said: "The plan is that we set up a scheme where money can be used to attract the country's most- talented students to LIPA.

"This will be especially important if the Government allows tuition fees to rise, because this will create a situation where the universities with the deepest pockets can offer the brightest student bursaries to study with them, as happens in America.

"If tuition fees do rise, we will have to see what the competition is doing before we decide what we do, but if it happens, as expected, bursaries and similar money incentives will become increasingly important.

"As a relatively new institution, we don't have those deep pockets, partly because we don't have the same number of former students to call on, in the same way other institutions do.

"Getting this money is great news, because it means we can compete with other institutions and, hopefully, increase the chances of getting more students who go on to great success, and in turn promote LIPA."

Last week, it was reported that academics in the city feared a Government review of tuition fee caps, believed to be scheduled for next year, could lead to university graduates spending their whole life repaying tuition fees.

The Government insists it has yet to decide the remit of that review, but experts say they expect a greater burden to be placed on students.

In a separate decision, LIPA has put plans to become a fully- fledged university ­ and therefore award its own degrees ­ on hold. All institutions awarding their own degrees can only do so through a Royal Charter or an Act of Parliament.

Initial talks had taken place with the Government about the plan for LIPA, which in 2006 became the first institute to win designated higher education status after setting up from scratch ­ allowing it to apply directly for state funding.

Prior to that, it had been under the umbrella of JMU.

Mr Featherstone-Witty added: "The most important issue for students is the quality of education they receive once they go on to higher education.

"We explored going for univer- sity status so we could award our own degrees, but the administra- tion costs would run to more than £30,000 ($57,890) a year with start-up costs of more than £60,000 ($115,781). That is money we'd rather put into front- line services for the time being.

"It is something we may look at again in the future, but for the students, it doesn't really matter who awards the degree. Some of our courses have 65 people competing for each place, so our reputation is already out there.

"We just need to make sure we can continue to compete and this is why the money from Liverpool Sound will be so important.

"We aim to ensure our courses provide the mixture of academic and vocational study needed to have the best possible chance of success in the future.

"Especially in the fields we cover, the competition can be fierce. Very few actors in Equity actually make a full-time wage from it.

"For us, it's important our students go on and have success so they can support us in the future.

"Our ethos is, and always has been, to get the best possible students and the best possible teachers."

Between 80% to 90% of students have a job or an agent within three months of leaving LIPA.

The Liverpool Sound concert is one of several key Capital of Culture events for which people had to enter a ballot just for the right to buy tickets.

It takes place on June 1 with tickets ranging from £35 ($67) to £75 ($144) in price. The other charity to benefit was the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy charity, which will use the funds to significantly increase its therapy services in Merseyside.

Bryan Gray, Chairman of Liverpool Culture Company, said: "It was a unique ballot and one which will benefit both the public and the city, not least through the support for LIPA and Nordoff- Robbins."

In a clear snub to his estranged wife, Mail Online can reveal McCartney will perform as the grand finale of the biggest event in the music calendar the track "Live And Let Die "-- as a tribute to his late wife who died of breast cancer ten years ago in April 1998.

The track was written in considerably happier times in 1973 when he was living with Linda and their young children James, Stella and Mary at the family estate in Peasmarsh in Sussex.

Linda and Sir Paul wrote the track together. They were even Oscar-nominated as a duo for the song which was the soundtrack for the James Bond film of the same name.

The poignant first words relate to his youth with Linda, who had married four years earlier. Sir Paul, 65, will sing: 'When you were young and your heart was an open book, you used to say live and let live.'

The next lyrics might easily be seen as being related to his current unhappy emotional situation when he sings: 'If this ever changing world in which we live in makes you give in and cry, say live and let die.'

Sir Paul, who spent the past week battling it out in the High Court with Miss Mills over his estimated £825 million fortune, will also sing "Hey Jude" in dedication to his dear departed bandmate John Lennon who died in December 1980.

Tribute: In a clear snub to estranged wife Heather Mills, Sir Paul McCartney will dedicate his performance at tonight's Brit Awards to his late wife Linda. The couple are pictured here in 1989 in London

As the Mail revealed earlier in the week, Sir Paul stood up Heather in the High Court on Monday. She turned up thinking they were going to sign a historic £55 ($106 million) million divorce deal.

But Sir Paul did not show without warning. It has now emerged that he was at Earl's Court at the time, rehearsing his "Live and Let Die" Brits finale as a tribute to Linda.

Speaking during backstage rehearsals for the Brits at Earl's Court, Sir Paul told the Mail: "'Live And Let Die" is the song that reminds me of Linda. "Hey" Jude reminds me of John.'

And despite winning thousands of awards in his time, the Brits Lifetime Achievement Award, still means a huge amount to him.

He says: 'It's human instinct to feel good when we get an award or any kind of praise, because it's validation. When people like what you are doing ­ it's a big deal.

'It's wonderful to get an award. It could go to anyone but I'm getting it and I'm very chuffed. It's much appreciated.'

McCartney does not, however, have a special trophy room at home: 'I couldn't have my mates round and go: 'Here's my trophy room. 'I shouldn't say it but I'd be slightly embarrassed.'

McCartney also says he is embarrassed about reports of a heart attack last year. 'I had a minor thing about nine months ago but it was exaggerated.

My friends were texting, going "Are you Ok?" And when I took my baby to school the mums were all concerned. Eventually the penny dropped and I realised why. In the meantime. I'm fine. I'm better than ever. I'm enjoying life.'

The Brit Awards are live tonight from 8pm on ITV1

Performers at tonight's glitzy BRITs have been warned: "Don't mention Mucca!"

Bosses are so terrified of upsetting guest of honour Sir Paul McCartney that they have urged stars and staff not to make any quips about his divorce battle with Heather Mills.

The 65-year-old ex-Beatle will perform a medley of his hits to celebrate receiving a Lifetime Award at tonight's bash.

And sources claim anyone likely to come into contact with Sir Paul has been "politely requested" not to bother him or mention the "M Word".

The ban extends to performers, crew and backstage workers at London's Earls Court.

Sir Paul will face the camera and answer questions from the press after the bash, which is screened live on ITV1 at 8pm.

But bosses will avoid any awkward scenes by banning journalists from talking directly to him.

Instead, a "trusted" PR will conduct a brief Q&A session concentrating only on his music and the evening's events.

Show hosts Sharon, 55, and Ozzy Osbourne, 59, have also been reminded not to mention Sir Paul's estranged wife.

Heather, 40, left, who is dubbed Mucca for her porn past, has been waging a bitter court battle for a share of Sir Paul's £825million fortune.

An insider said: "Word has gone around that there's to be no mention of Heather Mills."

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne have threatened to kick Heather Mills off stage if she shows up at today's BRIT Awards.

The couple, who are hosting the event, say Heather - the estranged wife Sir Paul McCartney - would not be welcome at the London ceremony.

Speaking about the rumours Heather is planning to attend the prestigious bash, Sharon said: "I would boot her off. I think she's a miserable old cow."

Ozzy - who will present Paul with the BRITs Lifetime Achievement Award - added: "I'm looking forward to seeing Paul McCartney - he's my hero. The body of work he's got is just unbelievable. But I really don't want to be there if Heather shows up. Never mind McCartney having a go - I think the audience will string her up.

"Sharon and I have met them both her on a few occasions but if Paul doesn't know her, I'm f***ed if I do. She's f***ing nuts."

Meanwhile, BRITs bosses are terrified Ozzy will strip naked on stage.

The former Black Sabbath frontman is threatening to bare all to the live TV audience so producers are broadcasting it with a 30-second delay.

Sharon Osbourne: It will be fantastic for him. He's had a hell of a time personally and he comes and gets this award, so it will be good for him.

The SUN: He'll be a bit more skint than before.

Sharon: He won't miss it.

Ozzy Osbourne: It's more about his daughter.

Sharon: It's the principle of it. That would get me more than anything. He'll get a great reception.

Ozzy: Our paths used to cross all the time. We had the same sound engineers. The Beatles are why I got into music in the first place. He is a really nice guy. This business has run and run, and he's never been impolite to me. He's always nice.

The SUN: Heather Mills asked if she could present an award at the Brits.

Ozzy: What? She's f***ing nuts!

Sharon: I would have booted her off anyway, I think she's a miserable old cow.

Macca and Heather Mills both claimed victory last night after failing to reach a divorce settlement.

High Court judge Mr Justice Bennett will now rule in the next few weeks on exactly how much of Sir Paul's estimated £825 million fortune Heather is entitled to.

Macca has sanctioned a £25 million ($48 million) cash settlement and agreed custody issues for their four-year-old daughter Bea. But he has insisted on a confidentiality agreement.

Heather, 40 refuses to be gagged, claiming she has a right to defend herself if she is publicly attacked over the collapse of their four year marriage.

A friend of the 65-year-old ex-Beatle said: "He never expected Heather to agree to a settlement so this decision is all good.

"He now feels there is an end in sight and the judge will make the right decision for all concerned. He thinks his offer is reasonable and that a judge won't give her much more."

But a friend of Heather's said: "She has convinced herself that the judge will never impose a gagging clause. She is adamant she'll win everything she wanted."

The couple were unable to agree a deal at London's High Court despite a six-day hearing.

Yesterday Sir Paul did not bother turning up for the last day but spent it rehearsing for Wednesday night's Brit awards.

Sir Paul McCartney refuses to plan his acceptance speech for Wednesday's Brit Awards

"Truth is that I haven't written it and I never do. I try and just pick up something on the night you 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."

The former Beatle will be presented with the Outstanding Contribution To Music award at the London ceremony.

No-show Paul ditches £55m peace deal at the 11th hour

Paul McCartney attempted to pull off a high-risk legal stunt yesterday by abandoning a record £55 million ($106 million) divorce deal just hours before it was due to be signed in the High Court.

The turn-around came late on Sunday evening after Fiona Shackleton and Nicholas Mostyn QC - Sir Paul's legal team - advised him he could save millions by letting High Court judge Mr Justice Bennett decide on a payout for Heather Mills.

The pair had yesterday been due to sign the consensual deal in the Royal Courts of Justice which would have seen Miss Mills take a £20 million ($38.6 million) settlement and £2.5 million ($4.8 million) a year for the next 14 years.

They had spent all last week pouring over the deal covering everything from a gagging order to security arrangements and property to the custody of their four-yearold daughter Beatrice.

Miss Mills turned up fully hoping the deal would be signed shortly after 9am yesterday.

Soon after that she learned that there had been a major change of tack and that Sir Paul would not be coming to court to sign the settlement after all.

Miss Mills, who sources say had been celebrating the imminent deal all weekend, was said to be "incandescent with rage" after realising Sir Paul and his legal advisers had "stood her up" at court.

She put a brave face on the decision as she left court later in the day.

Her estranged husband is understood to have spent the day in rehearsals for the Brit Awards. He is due to pick up a lifetime achievement award at the ceremony at Earls Court on Wednesday.

Miss Mills will now face an agonising wait to discover how much of Sir Paul's £825 million ($1.6 billion) fortune she will be awarded after Mr Justice Bennett ruled yesterday that in the peculiar circumstances, he would be reserving his judgment.

The pair may not know of his decision for another month - or it may take as little as a few days.

It will be passed on to the couple through their lawyers so they may not have to return to court.

The decision to pull out of a deal as this stage might be a risky strategy for 65-yearold Sir Paul.

Miss Mills, 40, might win grounds to appeal the judge's decision. If that happens, the whole divorce could be played out in the Court of Appeal and will be open to the public.

An insider said yesterday: "Paul pulled the plug very late in the day. Heather is devastated.

"Paul is the one with the fabulously successful legal team and Heather has been working on her wits alone. For them to pull off a stunt like this, they must think they are in a strong position.

"They spent all week in court and Heather perhaps unwittingly spent the week showing her hand.

"Paul's team now look to have played a very clever game, saying 'we'll settle, we'll settle'.

"His team basically now know the worst of what she can throw at him in court. They smoked out the worst she had."

The source went on: "They are pulling the plug on it because they think the judge may well agree Heather deserves less than the £55million.

"Shackleton and Mostyn clearly think it's a risk worth taking. And if Paul gets a lower settlement and Heather does win the right to appeal, they now know the worst of what she can throw at them is not much more than has become public anyway."

The source added: "Paul was going along with everything all last week. But over the week he was becoming gradually more disillusioned by what was being agreed.

"It was he who pulled the plug. Heather was desperate to settle and had been convinced they had been in total agreement - right up until she arrived at court."

Miss Mills - who is representing herself - spent the morning session responding to points raised by Sir Paul's team.

Shortly after 1.30pm Mr Mostyn confirmed the judge was reserving the matter. Miss Mills's legal advisor David Rosen said it would be "about a month" before the judge hands down the ruling.

Dressed in a grey skirt suit, white shirt and Stella McCartney ankle boots, Miss Mills left with her usual entourage which included personal trainer Ben Amigoni, 23.

The Beatles, rightly so I feel, earned their number one place in a 2004 Rolling Stone poll as The Greatest Artists of All Time.

Bearing that in mind, I was feeling a little intimidated about interviewing Sir Paul McCartney the week before his divorce hearing began.

The "H" word was not to be mentioned at all (while we ordinarily refuse any such interview conditions - there were legal implications regarding their 4-year-old daughter so it was deemed acceptable).

This was to discuss Macca getting the Outstanding Contribution honour at the Brit Awards 2008.

When I asked if the award means a lot to him, bearing in mind the Spice Girls beat him to it, he looks quizzical: "Have they? Wow."

Is he surprised by that? "No, I think it's deeply honourable."

'Euphemism'

Thankfully he's grinning: "No listen it's great, it's good to get any award, any time, any place, any where. Cinzano."

"It's not Lifetime Achievement, I try and avoid those because it feels like you're going to die the next second, so it's called Outstanding Contribution. It's a euphemism."

We meet at his personal office in central London - a suitably large room that has a huge desk/dining/meeting table, a couple of cream sofas, a kitchenette, some priceless art and an enormous picture of Rupert the Bear and friends.

He clearly harbours no bad feelings towards working with the cartoon bear on the Frog Chorus' We All Stand Together. It's reassuring.

So, can he pick out his highlights from the various stages of his career; Beatles, Wings and solo ventures.

"That's such a big question," he says. (I am aware of this but don't want to interrupt)

Collaborations

"I think The Beatles did so much good stuff and it's great because I don't have to be modest because it's done.

"And a lot of it wasn't my work, it was all collaborations. A Day in the Life was fantastic.

"I think Hey Jude was a cool record, there's so many, Come Together, Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, Here Comes the Sun, Lady Madonna."

"Wings I think did some really cool records. I think Band on the Run was really nice, I like My Love, Jet and some of the lesser known stuff from Wings is cool.

"And then from my solo stuff I've been very lucky and made one or two good records.

"I liked Chaos and Creation, I liked Pipes of Peace, I like Tug of War, I like my new album, Memory Almost Full. I'm very lucky."

Hand-picked

Sir Paul's pleased that Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne are hosting the Brits as it will be like "old mates" on stage.

He won't reveal who's presenting his Outstanding Contribution prize but will say he hand-picked that person and they were his first choice.

As for what he'll be performing on the night; "When you do these shows people do say 'Oh, he'll pull something special out.'

"But it's like ten minutes so we'll just be doing a couple of hits." No duets then.

"I think if you do one of those duets, I'm not sure the audience likes them as much as you just doing one of your hits.

No duet rule

I think if I was watching the Rolling Stones, seeing Mick (Jagger) duet with Amy (Winehouse), it would be kind of interesting but I'd probably rather he did Satisfaction."

The photo's the last order of business and I even get a hug. As I leave I can't help unprofessionally blurting out how I'm pleased he didn't turn out to be a w***er.

Luckily Sir Paul laughs.

The Brit Awards take place on Wednesday 20 February at Earl's Court in London.

Stella McCartney out for a walk with Beckett

Designer Stella McCartney, 36, was spotted out in London over the weekend with her 5-week-old son, Beckett Robert Lee, who arrived on January 8th. Beckett is the third child for Stella and husband Alasdhair Willis.

As legal teams left court, McCartney's lawyer Nicholas Mostyn told reporters that judge Hugh Bennett had reserved his ruling. The judge will now spend several weeks working out a settlement.

Mills and McCartney separated in 2006 after four years of marriage. They went to court to decide on Mills' share of the former Beatle's fortune, which is estimated at as much as $1.6 billion.

Mills, 40, smiled as she left London's Royal Courts of Justice with her entourage. McCartney, 65, did not attend, although he was in court to face his estranged wife every day last week.

Media reports have suggested McCartney offered his wife around $50 million and that she was seeking at least double that amount.

Few details have emerged from Court 34 since the hearing began Feb. 11. Unlike most British court cases, divorce proceedings are heard in private, and the courtroom is closed to journalists and the public.

The terms of a settlement will not become public unless it is challenged in the Court of Appeal, or one of the parties chooses to reveal details.

The warring pair could not find common ground during the six-day hearing and the multimillion-pound settlement will now be decided by the judge.

Mr Justice Bennett is expected to take a few weeks to put together his detailed judgment. But if Ms Mills appeals against the decision it would set up a potentially explosive public confrontation in the appeal court.

It is thought that the judge has imposed a gagging order on everyone involved in the case. Leaving Court 34 at the Royal Courts of Justice, the former model, 40, said: "We are never allowed to speak. They are private proceedings."

Her high-flying Los Angeles lawyer Michael Shilub nodded when asked if a gagging order was in place and the London solicitor who advised her in court as a McKenzie Friend, David Rosen, added: "It remains private until the judge decides otherwise."

Nicholas Mostyn, the barrister acting for the 65-year-old former Beatle, confirmed that the decision was now in the hands of the judge as he left court.

A court source told the Evening Standard the couple cannot agree on a settlement and the judge will have to decide for them. "He has reserved judgment and will hand down a detailed decision in a few weeks' time," the source said.

The hearing was originally expected to end at the end of last week and it had been reported they were set to seal a record-breaking deal of up to £65 million ($125 million).

Ms Mills, who is representing herself, arrived nearly an hour and a half early with the doors to the courtroom still locked at 9am.

She was accompanied by her entourage, including her personal trainer, her stylist and a burly minder. Sir Paul did not turn up.

The deal which Sir Paul and Ms Mills were said to have agreed would have included a £20 million ($38.6 million) lump sum and £2 million ($3.8 million) to pay her legal bills with her former lawyers, Mishcon de Reya.

It was also claimed Ms Mills would get annual payments of £2.5 million ($4.8 million) until their four-year-old daughter Beatrice was 18.

One sticking point was said to be a gagging clause that would have prevented her from revealing details of their marriage.

Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills have failed to reach agreement over a financial settlement in their divorce battle, and a High Court judge will now divide the spoils of their four-year marriage.

Mr Justice Bennett will impose a settlement on the couple after they failed to hammer out a deal after spending more than a week in court behind close doors.

The settlement will be decided at a later date after Mr Justice Bennett reserved judgement on the case.

This means rumours the couple had agreed a settlement at the weekend worth about £50 million ($96.6 million) were unfounded.

The couple, who have a four-year-old daughter named Beatrice, announced in May 2006 that they were ending their marriage.

The case may result in the largest divorce settlement in British legal history.

The 65-year-old former Beatle's fortune is estimated at £825 million ($1.6 billion) and reports have suggested Mills, 40, was looking to claim as much as 10 per cent of that.

Miss Mills arrived at court today armed with several boxes of documents, making it probable that this was her last stand.
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The couple were in court all last week giving different views over what she should receive from Sir Paul's fortune.

Miss Mills started proceedings on Monday, representing herself before the judge with a professional legal advisor.

Then it was Sir Paul's turn to put his case, through Nicholas Mostyn QC.

Miss Mills then had a chance to reply to any of the arguments and that is what is believed to have happened today.

Sir Paul was not in court today and is believed to be rehearsing for the Brit Awards on Wednesday where he will perform a medley of his hits.

Mr Justice Bennett's ruling will be binding on both Sir Paul and Miss Mills but can be challenged at the Court of Appeal.

Music legend Sir Paul McCartney is set to pay a poignant tribute to his late first wife, the fabulous Linda McCartney at Wednesday's Brit Awards - by dedicating his award to her.

The 65-year-old former Beatle will be honored for his outstanding contribution to music at the prestigious ceremony in London. And he plans to dedicate it to Linda who died of cancer aged 56 in 1998.

A source said: "It's a massive thank you to her. She was the love of his life - not one day goes by where he does not think about her."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqXYwNDrU8k&feature=related

Ex-porn model Mucca, 40, got fed-up Macca to agree to her whopping demands after court on Friday, we can reveal.

It followed a week of legal wrangling over the ex-Beatle's £825 million ($1.5 billion) fortune.

Mills, who was seen smiling as she left the High Court on that day, is set to toast her triumph at a bash for family and friends at a secret location.

A source said: "The party is a big thank you to all the people who stuck by her. It is also a final dig at Paul-who spent months telling her she wouldn't get his money.

"He was optimistic the payout would be low, and this settlement would have hit him hard. But Heather always felt she deserved a huge payout."

Her pals say Sir Paul, 65, has agreed to hand her around £20 million ($38.6 million) as an immediate lump sum.

She will get a further £2.7million ($5.2 million) every year for the next 15 years for their four-year-old daughter Beatrice and herself.

Sir Paul will meet Heather's demands of a 24-hour security team, housekeeper, nanny, personal trainer and travel budget.

She is looking to buy a home in Sussex and another abroad within the next year.

Macca will also settle Mills' outstanding £2 million ($3.8 million) legal bill with law firm Mischon de Reya.

And he will clear the £2.2 million ($4.2 million) overdraft with Coutts Bank that she ran up soon after their split in May 2006.

The music legend had already given her £2 million as an interim payment. And he has spent almost £4 million ($7.7 million) on his legal costs.

In return Heather has agreed to a gagging order, preventing her from ever criticising their marriage or family in public.

She will not be able to show the video diary she made about their split, and cannot have any of his properties-or claim any money when he dies.

Mucca and Macca's legal teams are understood to be thrashing out the finer points this weekend. The lawyers will then present the peace deal to the High Court judge on Monday morning.

He will examine the agreement and is expected to rubberstamp it in the next few days.

Our source said: "Heather is over the moon. In principle the deal is done."

Sir Paul McCartney's divorce battle with Heather Mills will continue into next week after the warring couple failed to reach an agreement.

Mills - who's representing herself in the case at London's High Court - could reportedly walk away with $120 million (£60 million) of the former Beatle's estimated $1.65 billion (£825 million) personal fortune.

Officials have confirmed Court 34 has been booked for the case to continue on Monday, February 18. It's likely the judge will decide at some point next week whether enough has been said to draw the hearing to a close.

McCartney and Mills split in May 2006 after four years of marriage. The couple has a daughter, four-year-old Beatrice, together. Ex-glamour model Mills launched a bitter tirade against the British press in a TV interview in October (07) accusing them of turning the public against her after a series of 'hate campaigns'.

Can anyone explain to me why Paul McCartney isn't in the divorce courts asking for money from his estranged wife Heather Mills?

All I can see on display is the new British tradition that insists women should be able to trouser vast sacks of moolah from former husbands, apparently regardless of what their contribution to the marriage might have been. By my reckoning, Heather owes Paul £2.2 million ($4.2 million) ­ a figure I worked out on the back of a beer mat last night down the pub, in the company of several misogynists.

What moral reasons we mused could there be for Paul, or any man in a similar position, paying his ex a single penny? Heather's principal contribution to the marriage seems to have consisted of her allowing the former Beatle access to her undoubtedly fragrant body and wonderfully fertile imagination. If you think this benediction, which some of us would be willing to forgo, is worth even the 10m quid that Paul is reportedly offering, then to my mind you are espousing a very strange moral system.

Almost all Paul's estimated £825 million ($1.5 billion) wealth was made before Heather appeared on the scene; it accrued at a time when his view of womankind was of the sweet and naive "I wanna hold your hand" variety, rather than his current, more nuanced, "I wanna rip your throat out" position. But such is love, I suppose. My point is simply that Heather contributed little or nothing to her husband's material wealth, other than to spend it. What precisely did she sacrifice other than the sacrifice implicit in producing a daughter? Her stock as a Blue Square Conference league model and all-purpose done-little celeb ­ other than a bit of work here and there on prosthetics ­ has been massively enhanced by her marriage. And, as a consequence, so too has her earning power.

We are interested in her solely because of her previously close association with a respected national institution; merely the appendage of the name McCartney has enabled her to become an almost daily fixture in our lives, as ubiquitous as any of those other mannequins with a delusional high opinion of themselves ­ Posh, Jordan and so on.

Mills was a model, a job that tends to be confined to the under - 30s. Even by the time of her wedding to Paul she was ­ as they say, rather cruelly ­ "on the turn". Without Paul, it is doubtful she would have been given the time of day on even the lowliest chat show.

Before her marriage to a very famous person she existed as one of those strange and crepuscular creatures yapping away at the edge of our collective eyesight, desperate to make an impression.

Should she be rewarded with 10m quid or even more because she snared a former Beatle, has had their child and think she's under threat from the paparazzi? Should her income enable her to live in the manner to which she was accustomed while with McCartney, or the manner to which she was accustomed four years previously? I have never understood the vagaries of our legal system but I and my misogynist mates reckon she requires a modest sum to help to look after their child, and that's it. I reckon about £8,000 ($15,458) a year should do the trick.

Heather is an easy target ­ but this fact should not deter us from lobbing a hand grenade in her direction every so often. The point at issue, though, is much broader: the law suggests that she has a "natural" right to a slice of her exhusband's fortune; even Paul has resigned himself to this. And yet what moral justification is there for such a claim? I dare say Mr Justice Bennett, with his long and noble legal training, will put us right on this.

Aussie pop princess Kylie Minogue is set to present Paul McCartney with his Outstanding Contribution To Music award at the Brits Awards this month (February 20), it has been revealed.

And then Paul, 65, will close the star studded bash with a medley of his biggest hits.

A Brits insider said: "Macca will be chuffed. He and Kylie have grown close. They hit it off when they duetted at Jools Holland's Hootenanny on New Year's Eve."

The multi-millionaire music legend is eager for his big night at the prestigious ceremony- and thinks this year's Brits, at London's Earls Court on Wednesday, will be one of the best yet.

Speaking before his bitter High Court battle with estranged wife Heather Mills, the former Beatle apparently said that Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne are the best hosts the night has had in years. But Paul decided against a duet with Ozzy. He said: "You can either go for something wow or just do a couple of hits - I've opted for the latter.

"I'm quite happy to be just doing stuff that I hope the audience will like. I don't want to go too interesting because it's going to be at the end of the night.

"Just stick to the hits, boy. The audience will want to drink beer really. This year will be outstanding - because Ozzy is presenting," he said.

Paul also revealed he was a huge fan of Rihanna's smash hit single Umbrella, saying: "I hope she doesn't sing something else. That would be the one we would all want to hear.

"I love that song and I wouldn't like her to do another. So please Rihanna - hear my plea."

Paul also claimed he has a surprise up his sleeve - stripping. "I will be taking my shirt off, I'll be taking everything off," he said.

Miss Mills, 40, is to receive a £20 million ($38.6 million) lump sum with further £2.5 million ($4.8 million) annual payments until their four-year-old daughter Beatrice reaches 18.

She could not contain her joy as she walked from the High Court in London smiling broadly yesterday.

As part of the deal, which was predicted in the Daily Mail last week, Miss Mills has agreed to be bound by a confidentiality order which means she will never be able to speak publicly or write in detail about the breakdown of the four-year marriage.

The estranged couple have faced each other over five days at the High Court this week.

Beatrice's main carer will be Miss Mills, but Sir Paul, who has an estimated £825 million ($1.5 billion) fortune, will have equal visitation rights in the settlement they are said to have reached.

Miss Mills will live with Beatrice between Britain and Eastern Europe, where she plans to set up another home.

She will also benefit from a four-man security team working in shifts to give her 24-hour cover whether she is with her daughter or not.

Miss Mills wants to be able to flee to a new home she is looking for in Poland or the Czech Republic after recently claiming she had become a hate figure in Britain following the split from Sir Paul in May 2006.

Sir Paul, 65, has also agreed to make a separate special provision for a £1million ($1.9 million) trust fund which will steadily accumulate each year until Beatrice can access it when she turns 18.

He and Miss Mills have been debating a range of complex issues during their week in the High Court.

Both sides finally verbally agreed to all parts of the deal just before lunchtime yesterday, the Daily Mail has learned.

"They have go the settlement," a source said. "They have agreed on all points. Nothing much has changed this week. There was a deal at the beginning, but it was a complex one.

"There have been a few tweaks to the agreements, but those have been mostly changes Heather wanted made."

Mr Justice Bennett, who is presiding over the case, has set aside Monday in the Royal Courts of Justice for a continuation of the hearing.

A legal source said: "Heather has had no legal representation throughout recent weeks. If a deal has been reached, Mr Justice Bennett has to be sure of a few things to bind Miss Mills to the settlement. He needs to be sure she knows of and understands all the details of the agreement.

"He also must be sure that she not feel under duress to sign it.

"Also, despite Heather having been guided legally in court all week, Mr Justice Bennett will want to give Heather the weekend as one final chance to take legal advice on the final settlement. Whether she does is another matter. It all seems fairly cut and dry. But the judge will want to offer her this final opportunity."

A spokesman for the Royal Courts of Justice confirmed: "They have booked the court for Monday but we have been told they will probably not need it beyond then."

The £55 million exceeds the £48 million businessman John Charman was told to pay his former wife last year.

Second week for McCartney hearing

Sir Paul McCartney's divorce hearing has been extended into next week after he and estranged wife Heather Mills failed to reach an agreement.

Court 34 at London's High Court has been booked for Monday (February 18), when the case will continue, even though it was originally scheduled to end on Friday.

The financial settlement could break records, it has been suggested.

The hearing has been taking place in private. Any settlement will not be made public unless it goes to appeal.

Sir Paul has a fortune estimated at £825 million ($1.5 billion). Based on recent cases, divorce experts have suggested that Ms Mills could walk away with £60 million ($115 million).

The record currently rests with the £48million ($92 million) businessman John Charman was told to pay his former wife last year.

Ms Mills, who lost part of a leg in a road accident in 1993, married Sir Paul in June 2002, four years after his first wife, Linda, died of breast cancer.

The couple have a four-year-old daughter Beatrice. They announced the end of their marriage in 2006.

Several press reports suggest High Court judge Mr Justice Bennett has warned the couple that leaking details of the case to the media could be in contempt of court and punishable with heavy fines.

The judge is likely to decide next week if he has heard enough to give a ruling on the division of wealth and will impose his conditions on the couple, although the actual judgement will follow in a few weeks.

The media have speculated that a sticking point could be a confidentiality clause - the former Beatle is said to be anxious to keep details of his marriage to Ms Mills secret.

The former model, who arrived in a bizarre black velvet pinstriped suit and bright red shirt, hit out at Sir Paul for snubbing a fan who asked him to sign an album as he made his way into the Royal Courts of Justice.

The former Beatle, 65, refused to give his autograph, saying: "I can't sign that here."

Ms Mills, 40, criticised her estranged husband's behaviour as she chatted to the fan, named Joe, outside Court 34.

She said: "You should have told him that it's his fans who made him rich and famous. You put him where he is."

Ms Mills then autographed the fan's notebook, writing: "To Joe, lots of love, Heather Mills."

The fan, who would not give his full name, had asked Sir Paul to sign an original of the Beatles' White Album.

The driver, 50, of Leytonstone, said: "I'm a lifelong fan of Sir Paul and the Beatles. I brought down my collection, the White Album, Abbey Road and the others, so he would sign them.

"I'm so disappointed that he wouldn't. I don't understand. He just said: "I can't sign that here."

"Heather was really nice about it. She signed my book and said I should tell him that it's fans like me who made him rich and famous. I guess she's right."

Meanwhile, the judge dealing with the divorce, Mr Justice Bennett, has booked the courtroom for the case on Monday.
A court spokesman said: "It will go on until Monday. It has not been booked beyond that yet, but it could be."

It is thought that Ms Mills' decision to represent herself has caused proceedings to run on longer than expected.

She has reportedly crossexamined Sir Paul and his legal team.

Ms Mills is seeking a record-breaking settlement of up to £100 million ($192 million), including money for 24-hour security for her and the couple's four-year-old daughter, Beatrice.

Today, she sat in her Mercedes 4x4 for nearly 45 minutes after arriving at court while her friend and personal trainer, Ben Amigoni, 23, wheeled boxes of documents inside.

She then strode in with the rest of her entourage.

It also emerged today that Ms Mills will be barred from grilling Sir Paul McCartney in court over his alleged violent behaviour towards her during their four-year marriage.

But Mr Justice Bennett, the High Court judge who will decide the size of Ms Mills's divorce settlement, is expected to rule that claims of violence are irrelevant in determining how much money Sir Paul should pay his ex-wife.

In divorce papers leaked last year, Ms Mills, 40, accused Sir Paul, 65, of being violent towards her on four occasions, including being stabbed in the arm with a broken wine glass. The former Beatle denied the allegations.

A legal source said today: "The court does not like to air dirty linen in public. What people have done wrong in a marriage is not going to weigh on a judge's mind in deciding the size of a payout."

The case was due to conclude today but Mr Justice Bennett is understood to have made space available in his court diary allowing it to run into next week.

(WEBMASTER'S NOTE: Heather has previously referred to Paul's fans as "Beatles Nutters.")

Sir Paul McCartney made an effort to bury the hatchet with Heather Mills on the eve of their divorce battle - sending a touching note that said: "Whatever happens, our daughter comes first."

Macca, 65, sent the message attached to a bouquet of lilies ahead of their first day in court on Monday.

It read: "Please remember you and I are both human and have one very special person in common. Please let's not forget this when we are in court."

A source said: "After Heather received the bouquet, it hit home that, at the end of the day, their priority was, and always will be, their four-year-old daughter Beatrice. In the days and weeks leading up to the divorce case, the pair of them were apprehensive about coming face to face in court.

"But the lilies certainly helped in easing tensions between them ahead of what's been a fraught week.

"No matter how acrimonious things get, both of them know that their daughter comes first."

It is not the first time Macca has sent a bouquet to Heather, 40, since they split.

She told how the ex-Beatle sent her flowers before she first appeared on US TV show Dancing with Stars. A message read: "Good luck, Mommy. Love, Beatrice and Daddy."

Yesterday, Heather was clearly feeling the strain of representing herself as she sat in her car for 20 minutes after arriving at London's High Court yesterday.

She looked troubled and stressed as she entered the Court 34 to face her estranged husband for the fourth day.

In contrast, Macca smiled at reporters and chatted with his solicitor Fiona Shackleton.

It is believed Macca yesterday began arguing why Heather should not be entitled to a large chunk of his estimated £825 million fortune.

He was due to face cross-examination from Heather, who insists she needs cash to pay for her personal security.

During short breaks in the hearing, fraught-looking Heather spoke in urgent whispers to sister Fiona, fitness trainer Ben Amigoni and make-up artist Mark Payne.

The ex-model, who sacked her lawyers last year, is up against one of the finest legal teams in the world, including £20,000-a-day ($38,645) barrister Nicholas Mostyn QC. Today is the last of the five days allotted by the courts to the case.

But it may continue into Monday if Mr Justice Bennett believes it would be helpful. Unless the case goes to the Court of Appeal, the figures and details of the final settlement may never be made public.

Valentine's Day came and went without a glimmer of warmth in the divorce court battle between Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills.

Both looked increasingly careworn as they emerged from Court 34 at London's High Court.

The case is being held in secret, but every day that passes points to the fact that the negotiations to reach a settlement have become a war of attrition.

Friday is the final day of the scheduled five days allotted by the courts to the case. It could continue into Monday if Mr Justice Bennett believes it would be helpful.

But if he thinks he has heard enough to make a decision, then his judgment over the distribution of Sir Paul's reputed £825 million fortune will be reserved to a later date.

Whatever the judge's ruling, Sir Paul's wealth is likely to be severely hit, but Ms Mills may find she has not reached anything like her idea of what it is worth to be married to a former Beatle for four years.

If the case does end up with Mr Justice Bennett imposing a settlement on the warring couple, the case could end up in the Court of Appeal where neither of the parties has the right to the case being heard in secret.

It is well known that Ms Mills is anxious to reveal details of her life with Sir Paul and any book on the subject could generate millions of pounds worldwide.

Sir Paul, who married Ms Mills in June 2002, four years after his first wife Linda died of breast cancer, is equally anxious to keep the whole business a secret. There is speculation that one of the sticking points in reaching a settlement is their split over the signing of a confidentiality clause.

The only winner - if there can be one - will be the couple's daughter, Beatrice.

The four-year-old can look forward to becoming a very wealthy young lady indeed.

There are various schemes the courts could sanction as a safeguard that Beatrice never has to worry about money even though she has to live with the fact that her parents broke up after an obviously unhappy and stormy short marriage.

Wynne Thomas, of solicitors Dawsons, said one option was a bare trust which avoided taxation.

"It belongs to Beatrice but is managed by other people until she is 18. That is probably the advice they are receiving and how it would be dealt with."

This is a divorce which could top the list of big money payouts - it has been suggested that Sir Paul, 65, may be forced to pay out £60 million ($115 millon) or even £100 million ($192 million) to 40-year-old Ms Mills.

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