Macca launches new Linda-Inspired classical album

Paul McCartney put his current divorce troubles behind him at the world premiere of a new work inspired by his first wife.

Paul thanked his family and friends after the orchestral performance last night of his new classical album which he described as "a labour of love".

Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart) - the ex-Beatle's fourth classical album - was heard by a packed audience at London's Royal Albert Hall.

Paul received a standing ovation afterwards as he thanked everyone who had helped him make the album.

"This has been such a long labour of love and so many great people have helped me," he told the crowd.

"So many people - members of my family, my friends.''

Paul, 64, has been locked in a bitter divorce battle with wife Heather since they announced in May that they were splitting after four years of marriage.

At the album's launch in September he said the work contained his first wife, Linda's, spirit.

He began composing it more than eight years ago, before Linda died from breast cancer.

But he had to stop work on it for two years due to his grief.

Ecce Cor Meum was performed by soprano Kate Royal, Academy of St Martins in the Fields Orchestra, London Voices, Boys of Magdalen College Choir, Oxford and Boys of Kings College Choir Cambridge.

Paul praised all the performers - the same cast who appeared on the studio recording.