Heather MillsHeather Mills reportedly made repeated attempts over the weekend to get estranged husband Paul McCartney to agree to an out-of-court settlement before their divorce case started in the High Court this morning.

A source close to the former Beatle told the Mirror: “Heather kept phoning Paul but he wouldn’t take her calls. When she eventually got through she was in tears and very emotional. He was very cool throughout the conversation.”

“She is desperate to settle out of court and told him it didn’t need to come to that. But he ended it by simply saying ‘I’ll see you in court’.”

Heather was the first to arrive at the courthouse and refused to speak to reporters on her way to Court 34. Paul arrived a few minutes later and said “Good morning” to the waiting media crowd but wouldn’t answer any questions about how he thought today’s hearing would proceed.

The friend added though that Paul was looking forward to the legal showdown: “He was in good spirits, quite a jaunty mood.”

“He was relishing the forthcoming court case as he was always prepared to go all the way.”

“[But] she’s really nervous about it. She thinks she will be humiliated when her past is raked up.”

“He feels Heather’s demands are motivated by greed and anger and have little to do with Bea. He wants to pay Heather the minimum he can.”

The closed-door hearing is expected to last five days, with Heather representing herself in court after parting from her lawyers Mishcon de Reya last year. Paul’s legal team is led by Fiona Shackleton, who represented Prince Charles in his split from Princess Diana. They will discuss Heather’s entitlement to a share of Paul’s £800million fortune and the properties they shared during their marriage as well as custody of daughter Beatrice and child support arrangements.