My mum was Paul McCartney’s cleaner and I used to walk his dog - it inspired me to become a star

The Beatles have inspired countless musicians to follow their passions, many of whom have become big names themselves. Whether it was Billy Joel realising a working-class singer like himself could make it after seeing the Fab Four on American TV in 1964 or the recently-reunited Oasis' much-publicised adoration of the band, their music and style had an impact on so many.

However, one musician was inspired by our city's most famous sons in a slightly different way. Adam Ant - best known as the lead singer of new wave group Adam & The Ants in the late 1970s - had a connection with Sir Paul McCartney that made him decide to try his hand in the world of music.

This connection was mentioned during Saturday's (November 9) 'Pick of the Pops' on BBC Radio 2, as host Mark Goodier counted down the charts from this week in 1983. Adam Ant's 'Puss N Boots' was number five - his final top 10 hit as a solo artist - and it led Mark to delve into a fact about the star's early life.

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Mark told listeners: "When he was growing up, Adam Ant, his mum worked as a housekeeper for another huge star and he was inspired to become a pop star when he visited the house and saw that guy’s music room. The star was Paul McCartney."

It is something that Adam himself has mentioned in interviews. He told the ECHO in April 2015: "My mum was Paul McCartney’s cleaner and I used to walk his sheepdog, Martha. She was a nice dog and he was a nice man."

In that interview, he also spoke fondly about performing in Liverpool - particularly at the legendary Eric's. He said: I like Liverpool. I’ve had some good nights here. Back in the day it was Eric’s, now it’s East Village Arts Club.”

About playing Eric's he said: “I remember playing Eric’s with Echo and the Bunnymen. They were coming up just as we were coming down so there was a bit of a crossover.

"I really liked them in those early days, but they got rid of Echo, the drum machine, and I didn’t care for them after that. When we played Eric’s I remember going out on Mathew Street looking for The Cavern. I went to where it was and they’d bulldozed it and turned it into a car park. You wouldn’t get that in London.”

Adam was due to play in Liverpool last month, but he had to cancel his Philharmonic Hall gig due to illness.