McCartney urges divorce 'dignity'

It took Sir Paul almost a decade to write Ecce Cor Meum
Sir Paul McCartney has urged everyone connected with his divorce from Heather Mills McCartney to behave with dignity.

He told the BBC it was a "private affair" and acting in a dignified manner "put less noses out of joint".

Sir Paul, 64, was speaking to Radio 4's Today programme at London's Royal Albert Hall, where his classical album Ecce Cor Meum had its world premiere.

The ex-Beatle and Lady McCartney, 38, announced their separation in May after four years of marriage.

Much of the couple's divorce has been played out in the newspapers before it reaches the courts, and damaging allegations about both parties have been made.

In the Today interview, Sir Paul said he was optimistic that the situation surrounding the divorce would eventually improve.

He said: "Remember that it is a private affair and that way [acting with dignity] you will probably get through it better, you will put less noses out of joint and I think it's a more dignified way to go about it, so that's what I try to do."

He added that music had helped him to remain optimistic.

'Linda's spirit'

Ecce Cor Meum - Behold My Heart - took the musician nearly a decade to write and was inspired by his late first wife Linda.

He thanked his family and friends after the performance of the classical album.

Sir Paul told the audience: "This has been such a long labour of love and so many great people have helped me.

"So many people - members of my family, my friends."

In September, at the album's launch, he said the work contained Linda McCartney's spirit.

Sir Paul began composing it more than eight years ago, before she died from breast cancer, but stopped work on it for two years because of his grief.

The couple's daughter, fashion designer Stella McCartney, was among those in Friday night's audience.

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