Paul McCartney's Christmas treat for fans? A bumper wordsearch

www.telegraph.co.uk
Paul McCartney's Christmas treat for fans? A bumper wordsearch
By  Hannah Furness
Arts Correspondent
28 DECEMBER 2016


Paul McCartney's fans can swap rock and roll for a wordsearch puzzle CREDIT: REUTERS/BENOIT TESSIER

In their Sixties heyday, fans were famous for screaming, fainting and offering their knickers in a frenzy that coined its own enduring nickname: Beatlemania.

But devoted followers of Sir Paul McCartney are a little more sedate these days, it appears.

For the musician’s latest offering to his fans? A spectacular Christmas wordsearch.

Sir Paul has teased admirers with a 42-clue word search, burying the titles of his best-loved songs in a bumper puzzle.

A few days earlier, he released a special Christmas colouring-in sheet, with a pencil-effect drawing of him on stage with his guitar ready to be decorated.


The wordsearch contains 42 song titles CREDIT: PAUL MCCARTNEY

The puzzles are part of Sir Paul’s web strategy, which sees him interact with fans regularly as they send in their completed images for him and his team to enjoy.

Introducing the new quiz, the 74-year-old musician’s website said: “This year has been quite the ride! So, for a bit of fun, we've made up a new wordsearch featuring highlights from Paul's past 12 months.”

As it launched the colouring challenge, it added: “Around this time of year we love to relax with family and friends and enjoy the festive season.


Fans can also colour in an image of their idol CREDIT: PAUL MCCARTNEY

“But as wonderful as Christmastime is, sometimes it's nice to also have a bit of time to yourself to relax, and what is more relaxing and zen than colouring in?”

It is not known whether Sir Paul himself has yet completed the word search after authorising it.

He was photographed spending Christmas Day on a beach in St Barts with his wife Nancy Shevell and daughter Stella.

We’ve hidden 42 words. How many can you find? Download the full wordsearch from https://t.co/eEFPgd3GIu today! https://t.co/rxLWHKp1y1 pic.twitter.com/hHOoXuKVtV

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) 27 de diciembre de 2016

The musician has previously spoken of his family connection with puzzles, with his father a big fan of crosswords and his cousin Bert going on to compile them professionally.

His fellow rock stars have not been shy in confessing their own pastimes in older age.

Ronnie Wood, of the Rolling Stones, has an array of jigsaw puzzles at home, with his wife Sally Wood telling The Telegraph: “We like them because they are very good for the brain.”

Download brand new colouring in images of Paul HERE! https://t.co/taTX2vtd2P #FanArtFriday pic.twitter.com/OWzB9dHkAB

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) 23 de diciembre de 2016

When on tour, she disclosed, the band indulge in an ongoing backgammon tournament.

Wood is also reported to be an enthusiastic philatelist, sharing the hobby with the late Freddie Mercury and John Lennon.

Bill Wyman, meanwhile, is a metal detectorist, while Charlie Watts listens to Radio 3 at home and Keith Richards has a passion for Second World War history books.


The Beatles perform at the Seattle Centre Coliseum during their US tour, 1964

Rod Stewart is known to be collector of model trains, once calling his December 2010 cover of Model Railroader "a major career milestone... getting on the front of Rolling Stone had nothing on this”.

Sir Elton John collects porcelain and photography, the late David Bowie played chess, Eric Clapton is a lover of fly fishing and Roger Daltry once appeared on the cover of TV Times advertising his trout farm.

When asked previously about his hobbies, Sir Paul has said: “I do have some nice guitar picks from over the years and some nice books too.”


The Beatles receive a silver disc from George Martin in 1963

If his fans are giving in to age, there seems to be little sign of Sir Paul doing the same. He has spent much of the year on tour and playing at festivals.

In an interview in August, he joked the idea of being on tour at the age of 40 had once seemed “unimaginable - and unseemly”, and admitted his teenage self had pitied a 24-year-old for being “so old”.

“People say age is a number,” he told Rolling Stone. “It's a big number the older you get. But if it doesn't interfere, I'm not bothered. You can ignore it. That's what I do.”

Sir Paul’s word search is available on his website and via his social media pages now.