A week of sadness for Beatles fans improved a little with the news that Aberdeen’s Gary Bakewell – who plays Paul McCartney in the movie Backbeat and TV film The Linda McCartney Story – has fallen in love with the American actress who plays Linda.

The story was an exclusive for the Evening Express and journalist Susan Welsh – and despite pleas from news agencies and the nationals she’s remaining tight-lipped on where and when the couple’s wedding will take place.

But she admitted: “I managed to get the story by sheer luck.

“Gary’s dad called the department on another matter, and mentioned by chance that his son – an actor – was coming to Aberdeen in a few week’s time with his new girlfriend.

“He thought I might have heard of his son, as he had appeared in a Scottish soap called High Road a few years earlier.

“Then, by chance added, ‘Oh, and he played Paul McCartney in a movie called Backbeat. Had I heard of it?’

“Casually as I could, I said, ‘I’m sure Gary’s old pals would love to hear how he’s getting on these days. I don’t suppose you have his mobile number do you?’

“The rest as they say, is history.”

Susan said Gary was an absolute delight, very much in love, and with a relaxed, but ever-so-slightly “Oh no, what’s my dad being saying now!” attitude.

The Express sat on the story for a week, and it was already scheduled to appear in Saturday’s paper before George Harrison’s death was announced the day before.

Teletext picked it up and carried the story the same night, the Daily Record on the Monday, and several agencies have been asking for the contact numbers.

Susan said: “Gary has promised I’ll be the first to know when he and Elizabeth set a wedding date.”

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