Sir Paul McCartney Pays Tribute To 'Fifth Beatle' Neil Aspinall

Sir Paul McCartney has paid tribute to Neil Aspinall, a man widely regarded by many as the ‘fifth Beatle’, who passed away last weekend.

McCartney described Aspinall, who died in a hospital in New York, as a “great man”.

“I met him at school when we were both 11 and we remained friends ever since,” McCartney said in a statement.

The former Beatle also said that he had been able to visit Aspinall, 66, who was suffering from lung cancer, shortly before he died.

"I was able to say goodbye and thank him for everything he did for us and I send my deepest loving sympathies to his wonderful family,” he added.

"I will miss him but will remember the laughs, there were plenty."

McCartney joins Yoko Ono, the widow of John Lennon, who last night described Aspinall as “an important member of the Beatles’ family”.

After forming a close relationship with the band, Aspinall took over as chief executive of Apple Corps in 1970 where he built a considerable reputation for protecting The Beatles copyright and music.