Sir Paul McCartney has been talking on-screen for the first time since the death of his wife Linda from breast cancer in April this year.

Chris Nuttall: "This was Sir Paul as he had never been seen before"

The former Beatle was not giving an interview but staging a live show for his fans on the Internet. Answering questions e-mailed from all over the world, Sir Paul said he'd shed more tears in the past year than in the whole of his life.

It was Sir Paul as he had never been seen before: live on the Web, as a celebrity cook showing how to make mashed potatoes. He demonstrated how Linda had taught him a special way of cutting onions and he topped the dish with parsley.

It was a vegetarian recipe inspired by his late wife. The hour-long special was part tribute to her, part promotion of her posthumous album Wide Prairie.

Show's bizarre mix

He compared the experience to a shopping channel as he plugged the album, a songbook and cookbook. He played music videos, showed photos of Linda, and sat down to answer a sheaf of e-mails.

Questions e-mailed from Australia to Brazil included could Linda play the guitar? Not much nor very well, he said, but she knew the chords A, D and E.

He was asked if he would play at a concert in her memory next year being organised by Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders. He was not sure he could cope emotionally, he said.

When asked by a fan in Mexico if he'd ever tour again, the former Beatle said, "Yes, I think I might. I like touring. Normally what happens is that I wait until the urge grabs me." Grief for Linda

Sir Paul has made few public appearances since the death of his wife in April. He has said he has cried more this year than in his whole life.

It was significant that he chose an invisible Internet audience for his only performance of the year and answered just his fan's questions rather than facing the ordeal of an interview.

Sir Paul gave his only broadcast interview of the year to the BBC's Des Lynam in October on the eve of the release of Grand Prairie.

He was close to tears as he described how hard life was without her. "I just always fancied her and I think that's what's so difficult about losing her," he said.

Internet is top of the pops for stars

The Internet is being used increasingly by rock stars to reach their fans;

• The Queen drummer Roger Taylor achieved a record number of hits for a live Internet concert when he performed from a tent in his Surrey back garden in September.

• David Bowie became the first personality to offer himself as an Internet Service Provider on September 1. Fans can have an @davidbowie.com address, take part in chats with the star, study his artwork and even help him write a song.

• George Michael spoke to his fans over the Internet in July for the first time since his arrest for lewd conduct. He typed in responses during a live two-hour chat which covered his homosexuality as well as his music career and other issues.