Paul McCartney has been romantically linked to socialite Sabrina Guinness after the two were spotted hugging on Wednesday night.

Paul was spotted arriving at Sabrina’s Notting Hill Gate home and hugging her when she answered the door. According to the Daily Mail, the pair were planning a dinner date at the nearby The Cow gastropub but after realising they were being followed by photographers, they circled the pub for around 30 minutes then decided to go their separate ways. Paul then dropped off Sabrina at a friend’s house and went to have dinner with his daughter Stella McCartney and her husband Alasdhair Willis instead.

A source claiming to be a friend of Paul’s told the Mirror: “Paul has known Sabrina for quite a time but their friendship has recently begun to deepen.”

“She is a much-needed shoulder to cry on. She’s taking him to meet her friends and is helping him rediscover life.”

“Paul adores female company and it is 10 months since his split. No one expects him to spend the rest of his life on his own. He obviously gets on with Sabrina. They have lots in common.”

Paul himself is quoted as saying: “I realise everyone wants to see me with a new bird right now and that’s very flattering. I have known this lady for a while. We enjoy each other’s company.”

“When we get together we talk about stuff like the environment and Al Gore, things like that. We have similar views.”

“I have had a terrible day at the office and as you probably know I’m going through a pretty difficult divorce right now too. I just fancied going out for a few drinks to relax. It’s not really a big thing, we have known each other a long time.”

Sabrina, the daughter of James Guinness and an heir to the Guinness empire, has previously been linked Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, Jack Nicholson and Prince Charles.