Sir Paul McCartney thinks The Beatles would have reformed 'for a laugh'.

The singer-and-bassist admits the legendary group – drummer Ringo Starr and late members John Lennon and George Harrison - turned down several offers to reunite shortly after they split in 1970, but believes they would have got back together after a lengthy period of time for a good cause.

He said: 'We were asked to do reunion concerts shortly after we broke up. It wasn't really a good idea then, but I think if this much time had elapsed, I could easily see it happening. Somebody would have said, 'Oh go on. Just for a laugh.'

"It could have been a charity thing. Or it could have been because we just met up and said, 'Let's do it.' You never know. But it's not to be so sadly it's all just conjecture."

John Lennon was shot and killed in New York City in 1980, and George Harrison died of lung cancer in 2001.

It seems the legendary musician has had a change of heart in his attitude towards reunions.

The 'Live and Let Die' hitmaker has previously claimed it was a 'blessing' that the quartet never performed together again after they split up.

He said: 'There was a bit of talk of The Beatles at certain points. What used to happen was three of us would fancy it and then maybe George or John or I wouldn't. In a way it was a blessing. We'd done it, why spoil it? Whether it's god given or not those four people was a pretty good mix."