Singer/songwriter James McCartney has grown to understand why so many people worship his father, Sir Paul McCartney.

The former Beatles star's son admits it took a "meltdown", a "spiritual epiphany" and a break from his famous family to realise how special his dad is.

He tells Rolling Stone magazine, "Me and my family drifted apart a bit, and then came together again. When I hit 30, we hung out more, me and my dad. I just realised how amazing he was. Ultimately, I always knew that. I think it's a coming of age thing as well.

"The older I get I realise what a legend he is. I think it's like wine, maturing... I respect my dad and he's amazing. He's my hero. He's the Beatles, man - or one of them."