More than six decades after The Beatles changed music forever, Sir Paul McCartney has finally revealed which bandmate he considers his favorite.
The surprising confession came during a recent appearance on Chicken Shop Date with Amelia Dimoldenberg. While the interview featured plenty of humorous moments—including stories from the band’s early days in Hamburg and some unexpected life advice—one question stood above the rest.
When asked whether his favorite Beatle was John Lennon, George Harrison, or Ringo Starr, McCartney smiled and replied, “Well, there’s only one left. So currently, it’s Ringo.”
Still, McCartney admitted that during The Beatles’ legendary run, Lennon held a special place within the group.
“I think we all looked up to John,” McCartney explained. “He was like the leader, even though there wasn’t officially a leader. He was very witty, and he was great to have in the group.”
Reflecting on the band’s dynamic, he suggested that all four members likely would have agreed that Lennon naturally became the group’s guiding figure.
The comments come amid a week of reflection for McCartney, who recently spoke about the lasting impact of losing both Lennon and Harrison. In an interview with The Guardian, he admitted that thoughts of his former bandmates can still leave him emotional.
“You do miss them,” he said. “I start to get very sad, and then I think, everyone misses them—it’s not just me.”
Despite their passing, McCartney revealed that Lennon’s influence remains part of his creative process. Speaking with actor Paul Mescal, who is set to portray him in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles film project, McCartney shared that he still imagines conversations with Lennon while writing songs.
“Sometimes I’ll write something and think, ‘What’s that? Is that any good?’” McCartney said. “And sometimes I imagine John saying, ‘No, it’s rubbish.’”
He added that both Lennon and Harrison continue to inspire him, saying their spirits remain with him whenever he creates music.
At 83 years old, McCartney is still releasing new material and reflecting on an extraordinary career. While fans continue to celebrate his latest work, it’s clear that the friendships, memories, and creative bond he shared with his Beatles bandmates remain among the most important parts of his life.