No more fan mail, Ringo begs

Former Beatle Ringo Starr has posted a video of himself on his website pleading with fans not to send him any more memorabilia to sign.

In the slightly bizarre appearance, the 68-year-old gives anyone desperate to have anything signed by him before he retires his autograph a cut-off date in which to do so.

"Nothing will be signed after the 20th of October. If that is the date on the envelope, it's gonna be tossed," he remarks.

The rocker and former voice of Thomas the Tank Engine repeatedly displays the peace sign and signs off the video with a message of "peace and love".

It is not the first time that Starr has risked angering his loyal followers. In January, an homage to him was vandalised after he said on Jonathan Ross's chat show that he does not miss anything about living in Liverpool.

This week's plea contradicts his depiction in the Simpsons, in which he was caricatured in 1991.

In the show, Starr was shown meticulously replying to every single piece of fan mail he ever received, including a letter from Marge which she sent in 1966.

Starr has released over a dozen albums since the Beatles split, including Liverpool 8 this year.