Sir Paul McCartney has stopped signing autographs as he ‘always found it strange’

If you spot Sir Paul McCartney out and about, don't ask him for an autograph or selfie – the superstar says he's always found them "strange" and would prefer a chat instead.

The Beatles musician has told Reader's Digest he doesn't plan on signing any more autographs for fans or posing for bad-quality photos because he'd rather have a deeper interaction.

Read more: Look back at the day Sir Paul McCartney had to deny rumours he was dead

He said: "It always struck me as a bit strange – 'here, can I write your name down on the back of this till receipt please?' Why? We both know who I am."

Fans are often keen to pose for selfies with Sir Paul, 79, to keep a memento of having met one of music's biggest stars, but he explained why he wasn't keen on phone photographers either.

Watch: Sir Paul McCartney insists he 'wanted to continue' being in The Beatles

He said: "What you've usually got is a ropey photo with a poor backdrop and me looking a bit miserable. Let's chat, let's exchange stories."

Sir Paul isn't the first former Beatle to have decided that his autograph-signing days are over.

Back in 2008, Ringo Starr said that he didn't like to sign his name just for someone else to sell on, and that he preferred to make sure it would go straight to charity by only putting his name to things like his artworks.

He told PA: "I don't autograph. All autographs are on stuff that I've (done). One of my paintings or something I'm involved with, and it goes to charity. It doesn't just go out there for other people to sell."

Starr also posted a video to his website confirming that he wouldn't be signing memorabilia and saying that he would be binning any fan mail.

Read more: Sir Paul McCartney shares Beatles anecdotes ahead of Disney+ show

Recently, Sir Paul gave a BBC interview clarifying the story of how The Beatles had split, which was once rumoured to be his decision.

But he said John Lennon was actually responsible for the band's break-up, saying: “I didn’t instigate the split. That was our Johnny. I am not the person who instigated the split. Oh no, no, no.”

Watch: Sir Paul McCartney reveals he was influenced by William Shakespeare