Sir Paul's fortune boosted

Sir Paul McCartney is currently on tour in Europe

Sir Paul McCartney has seen his fortune rise to £760m in the last 12 months, according to a new rich list.

The former Beatle came top of a Sunday Times entertainment industry list, worth almost twice as much as his nearest rival.

Theatre impresario Lord Lloyd-Webber was second with £400m and fellow West End mogul Sir Cameron Mackintosh third with £335m.

Big rises were enjoyed by singer Tom Jones, who now has an estimated £150m, Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller, with £90m, and the Osbourne family, who are worth £85m.

Sir Paul's fortune means he now ranks as the UK's 29th most wealthy person overall, according to the list, which will be published on Sunday.

UK'S TOP 10 POP RICH LIST

1. Sir Paul McCartney - £760m

2. Lord Lloyd-Webber - £400m

3. Sir Cameron Mackintosh - £335m

4. Madonna £227m

5. Robert Stigwood - £199m

6. Sir Mick Jagger - £175m

7. Sir Elton John - £170m

8. Sting - £165m

9= Tom Jones - £150m

9= Keith Richards - £150m

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A successful world tour has helped his fortune rise from £713m to £760m since last year's list was compiled.

Tickets for the US leg of the tour cost an average of $130 (£81), and he released a 35-track live album that sold more than one million copies in the US.

He also continues to earn money from his back catalogue, publishing royalties from rights he owns, including the Buddy Holly catalogue, and Beatles material.

A new Beatles DVD, costing about £40, features footage of McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr jamming in 1994, and has been a big-seller.

But Harrison's family have seen his estate's value decline from £140m in 2002 to £110m.

Earnings expert Philip Beresford, who compiled the 2003 list, said a drop in theatre takings had hit Lord Lloyd-Webber and Sir Cameron.

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"Profits have fallen for both of them as a result of the West End slump," Mr Beresford said.

Madonna's fortune has risen from £200m to £227m, with Sir Mick Jagger going up to £175m from £155m.

Simon Fuller, who managed the Spice Girls and created S Club as well as masterminding Popstars and Pop Idol, is now at number 21 on the entertainment industry's list.

His wealth shot up from £50m to £90m since last year, the list says.

And singer Robbie Williams, who signed a ground-breaking deal with EMI in October, is now worth an estimated £68m - almost double last year's total.