Paul McCartney to accept Brit award

Music legend Sir Paul McCartney refused to accept a Brit award when he was voted for one a few years back. But now, the former Beatles star has decided to accept next year's Outstanding Contribution to Music award.

Macca, 65, raged at an NME award show in 2000 that he would rather have their award - as it was "voted for by the readers".

Picking up an NME award, he said, at the time: "This is better. I came here because it was the readers' choice, unlike the Brits, which is chosen by a committee.

"With these awards you know what's going on. With the others you don't know what's happening backstage politically."

So what has changed Paul's mind? Maybe his bitter divorce battle with Heather Mills has caused him to mellow out?

Or maybe it's the nice comments from the folks at the Brit awards?

Ged Doherty, from the Brits Committee, said that having Paul accept the gong would be an "historic moment" for the awards. "Sir Paul McCartney is one of the greatest songwriters of all time and a member of Britain's biggest ever group," he said.

The ceremony will take place at London's Earls Court on February 20th 2008.