Macca: Wife didn't make me sack PR

Sir Paul McCartney has parted company with his publicist of 15 years following claims of a rift with wife Heather.

The former Beatle said he had ended his relationship with long-time friend Geoff Baker because his work had failed to meet "professional standards".

He denied that Heather, his wife of two years, had played a part in the decision.

Baker was a close friend of the star's first wife, Linda, and relations with Heather were reportedly strained.

In a statement, Sir Paul said: "I find it very sad that after years of friendship, my publicist Geoff Baker and I are parting.

"Over the past few months, his behaviour has not reached the professional standards I had come to expect from Geoff and it is with regret that I am forced to end our relationship.

"It is particularly sad that he has chosen to attempt to implicate my wife Heather in this business and I can say now that she has absolutely nothing to do with this. In fact, she has always been a great supporter of his.

"This is purely between Geoff and myself and I am sad to see it end in this way."

Sir Paul has hired The Outside Organisation, the PR company behind David Bowie, The Who and Westlife, as his new publicists.

Baker declined to comment on Sir Paul's statement.