After all the huge interest this year surrounding The Beatles leaping onto the iTunes apple-cart (see what I did there), it seems only right that one of the surviving pair offers payback (of sorts). Paul McCartney has just announced two 'intimate' Christmas shows in London and his home-town Liverpool - when I say 'intimate', I'm saying NOT arenas (intimate by Macca standards).

His first gig is in just 11 days time (18th December) at the HMV Apollo in Hammersmith, a venue that the Beatles played as far back as 1964, thus ensuring a historical link, while the second concert will take place at the Liverpool O2 Academy on 20th December. McCartney hasn't played his home yard since 2008, so demand is bound to be huge given the ties the multi-million selling and award-winning star has with the city.

Tickets are on sale tomorrow morning (Weds 8th Dec) from 10am onwards, limited to 4 per person. Expect two very special and emotional shows covering his Beatles, Wings and solo eras as well as music from his 2008 The Fireman 'Electric Arguments' album.

Update: sold out!

It will come as no surprise to learn that just 8 minutes after going on-sale, tickets for both London and Liverpool are now sold out.