Comment Central: Is this the reason Ringo is so annoyed?

He’s one of the world’s most cherished music stars but, after 40 years in the public eye, Ringo Starr has had enough of his fans.

The former Beatles drummer has made an impassioned appeal for admirers to stop sending him fanmail and has warned that his days of giving autographs are over.

In a video posted on his website, the 68-year-old names October 20 as the day he will officially retire his signature and quit responding to mail.

The Beatles begin their career as 'sages'

Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney were due to arrive today at the spiritual retreat overlooking the Ganges

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Flashing the peace sign repeatedly and littering his speech with the phrase “peace and love”, Starr announced: “This is a serious message to everyone watching my update right now. Peace and love. Peace and love.

“I want to tell you, please, after the 20th of October, do not send fan mail to any address that you have. Nothing will be signed after the 20th of October. If that has the date on the envelope it’s going to be tossed.

“I’m warning you, with peace and love, but I have too much to do, so no more fan mail, thank you, thank you, and no objects to be signed – nothing. Peace and love, peace and love."

Even if fans are no longer allowed to get in touch with their hero, Starr is still interested in taking their money in exchange for a range of Ringo Starr T-shirts, tote bags, hoodies and key rings available on his website.

But what about those fans who really just want an autograph? For $12.95 ( £7.35) they can purchase a ying yang necklace featuring the soon-to-be retired Starr autograph stamped on the back.

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