Beatles star Paul McCartney and wife split

 Former Beatle Paul McCartney and his second wife Heather Mills have separated after four years of marriage, they confirmed in a statement on Wednesday, blaming media intrusion for the split.

 McCartney, 63, and former model Mills, 38, who married in a lavish ceremony in Ireland in June 2002, said the constant attention had made "it increasingly difficult to maintain a normal relationship."

 "Having tried exceptionally hard to make our relationship work given the daily pressures surrounding us, it is with sadness that we have decided to go our separate ways," the statement said.