Ricky Gervais admits he was relieved to find out Paul McCartney “loved” his Golden Globes joke about Heather Mills.

Before McCartney came on stage to present the Best Animated Feature Film award to 'Up', host Gervais took a swipe at his divorce last year.

He quipped: “We were on the same plane to get here. I was in first and he was behind me in coach... Well, he spent a lot of money last year."

Gervais later wrote on his blog: "I was worried about the Paul McCartney line but then he came backstage and hugged me and said he loved it, so that was OK.

"Never piss off a Beatle - rule 1."

(by Scott Colothan)