McCartney may take album on tour

LONDON, England -- Paul McCartney says he is ready to hit the road again for the first time in eight years.

The former Beatle, who has a new studio album coming out in September, is considering a string of impromptu shows around the world.

"That would be good. I do fancy that actually," he said in a statement.

"I think it is very likely that I might tour around then. I like to go out on the road with a new album and I'm very excited by this one."

"I've been recording it in the States and we recorded 18 tracks in just two weeks. Recording new songs makes you enthuse and want to get out and play them," he said.

However, he said there were no plans to re-form a version of the group, Wings, which he started with his wife Linda following the break-up of the Beatles.

"You can't re-form Wings for the same reason that you can't re-form The Beatles, because a very important member of each band wouldn't be there. With the Beatles, it is John, and with Wings it is Linda."

His wife Linda died of breast cancer in April 1998.

McCartney, 58, has spent the last three years making a television documentary about the group. "Wingspan", he said, would explain for the first time why Linda was in the band, following years of criticism.

"The film totally validates and vindicates Linda," said the pop veteran.

He is now dating a 33-year-old model who lost part of her leg when run over by a police motorbike.

Heather Mills works as a campaigner for landmine victims, and runs her own charity trust.

There has been much speculation as to whether the couple will get married, and McCartney has not completely ruled this out.

"I can say here and now we are not engaged, but there is a good chance we will get married in the future," he said.