Paul McCartney lets rip against modern-day celebrities as The Beatles icon hits out against lack of 'talent'

Mr McCartney made the remarks during an appearance on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast with hosts Marina Hyde and Richard Osman, where he stated: "I think a lot of this influencer stuff - I just don't really get it, because I'm not that generation.

"I think it's funny - and I suppose it always happened - but people who don't seem to be particularly talented are incredibly famous. Billions of hits and views."

The musician, who has remained one of the world's most recognisable figures for over six decades, admitted he struggles to comprehend how modern celebrity culture operates online.

Ms McCartney acknowledged that his views might make him appear out of touch with contemporary culture.

"You've got to be careful about saying that, because it makes you sound very old-fashioned. Which I am," he admitted.

The former Beatle revealed that his exposure to influencer content typically comes through his wife, Nancy, who browses Instagram and shares posts with him.

"My wife will be looking at Instagram and showing me something, and then one of those will come on," he explained.

Despite having been at the centre of global fame since the 1960s, Mr McCartney confessed he doesn't quite understand the world of online celebrity.

The musician also disclosed that he often declines requests for photographs with admirers, a move he described as "radical these days."

Mr McCartney recounted how he had shared this with Oprah Winfrey, who was surprised to learn he refuses such requests.

"The minute I start thinking I'm something above myself, I won't like me. It's very important for me to just be me," he candidly shared.

He went on to share an analogy involving a street performer in Saint-Tropez who charges tourists to pose with his monkey.

"I really do not want to feel like that monkey," he said. "And when I take a picture with someone, I do feel like him. I'm not me anymore - I'm suddenly something else."

The musician's comments come as he prepares to release his new album, The Boys Of Dungeon Lane, this month.

The record marks his first new material in five years and represents his 18th solo studio album.

The introspective collection revisits his Liverpool childhood and early experiences with John Lennon and George Harrison before Beatlemania took hold.

Reflecting on how celebrity has evolved since his rise to stardom, Mr McCartney noted a shift in attitudes among famous people.

"When you're first famous, you love it - because it's what you were trying to achieve," he said.

"There was none of this 'oh, people are bothering me' - that's a modern affliction. We loved it. And you learn to deal with it."