Ringo Starr's Sickening Stage Fright

Ringo Starr gets such bad stage fright he is often sick before performances.

The Beatles legend says despite being a star for over 50 years he still suffers from nerves and is scared about getting on stage.

The 71-year-old drummer and singer said: ''I have actually puked before I went on as all my nerves come to the fore. It is part of what I am and it happens before every show. There have been times that I just wanted to go back to bed as I just get so nervous.

''Every night I just hope that tonight is the night when I am going to feel like Frank Sinatra.''

Ringo admits he always feels like running away three seconds before he is due on stage.

He added to Billboard magazine: ''I hope, 'You are just going to stroll on', but I haven't made it yet - I always run.

''That's why I always run on to it. I would love to coolly stroll on stage but I cannot.''

Ringo - who was joined in the band by Sir Paul McCartney, and the late John Lennon and George Harrison - also said he is not fazed by the fact some young music fans had never heard of him, saying: ''There's always going to be some kid somewhere saying, 'Who the hell is that guy?'

''That's just how it is. Nobody knows everybody. We're still selling more records than most people and we're selling them to the kids.''