Macca Mania Hits The UK

Special homecoming Christmas shows sell-out instantly and break box office records in the process

Saturday December 18th - HMV Apollo, Hammersmith - VENUE FASTEST EVER SELLING SHOW Monday December 20th - O2 Academy, Liverpool - VENUE FASTEST EVER SELLING SHOW

Tickets went on-sale this morning at 10AM for Paul's two UK December shows. The shows sold out instantly as phone lines and websites were jammed with fans trying to get their hands on tickets for what should be the biggest Christmas parties of the year, as Paul brings 2010 to a close in style. In the process Paul broke records in both London and in Liverpool for the fastest ever sell-out shows at London's HMV Apollo and Liverpool's 02 Academy. These concerts will see Paul scale back his massive stadium shows for intimate evenings of rock n' roll as he performs the best-loved songs in the world.

2010 has been another whirlwind of a year for Paul McCartney and if you thought he'd had done it all before, you'd be wrong! 2010 saw many career firsts for music's most treasured icon. Paul rocked The White House in front of President Barack Obama and his family in June when he was awarded with the prestigious Gershwin Prize For Popular Song (he was the first ever UK recipient). In January Paul announced plans for his all new 'Up and Coming Tour' which has taken him across America, the UK, Canada and more recently South America, breaking box office records along the way and winning incredible reviews from both fans and media. On Paul's recent South American tour fans set up makeshift 'McCartney Villages' outside the stadiums in order to get themselves at the front of the crowds when the venues opened.

Paul is currently in the US where he just received America's most prestigious award for the performing arts: the Kennedy Center Honours medallion. Paul was presented his award at a gala ceremony where Oprah Winfrey, Merle Haggard, Bill T Jones and Jerry Merman were also honoured. US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, who was in attendance said that Paul had 'redefined music over the course of his lifetime.'

This weekend will see Paul appear on America's legendary Saturday Night Live, marking the first time in 17 years that he has graced the famed music stage of 30 Rockefeller's Studio 8H. Barely 48 hours later, Paul will play Harlem's world famous Apollo Theater for the first time ever. A warm up for the upcoming intimate UK shows in London and Liverpool.