Rod Stewart has defended friend Paul McCartney against the claims that Paul physically and verbally abused wife Heather Mills.

He told Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2, Rod said: “I think he should fight her [in court].”

“I think his name has been slurred. I’m sure that he is not a wife-beater.”

In divorce documents leaked last week, Heather reportedly claims Paul physically abused her and humiliated her as well as drinking to excess and taking illegal drugs in her company.

Rod added: “He might be a drugtaker but I don’t think he’s a wifebeater. I think he should fight it. I don’t think he should settle.”