Beatles drummer Sir Ringo Starr said he had a “great time” with his “old mate” Sir Paul McCartney during his surprise appearance at London’s O2 Arena, while Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood described the experience as “wonderful”.

Sir Paul welcomed his former bandmate Sir Ringo to the stage during his Got Back tour performance on Thursday, with the pair playing Helter Skelter and Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Sir Ringo and Sir Paul have reunited a number of times since leaving The Beatles, including on Sir Paul’s 2019 Freshen Up tour, and at Sir Ringo’s 2015 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction.

“I had a great time with my old mate,” former Beatles drummer Sir Ringo wrote in a post on Instagram.

“You know who I send you a peace and love Merry Christmas Ringo.”

Sir Paul was also joined on stage by The Rolling Stones guitarist Wood for the song Get Back.

“Simply had a wonderful time playing Get Back with my good friends @paulmccartney and @ringostarrmusic at @theo2london last night,” the 77-year-old wrote in a post on social media.

“Hope everyone there had the best time!”

The show saw Sir Paul play his original Hofner 500/1 bass for the first time in five decades, after it was stolen in 1972.

“Thank you, London! We’ve been all over South America and Europe and here we are back home for the last shows of the 2024 Got Back tour,” 82-year-old Sir Paul wrote on Instagram.

“Making its first stage appearance in 50 years… is my original bass!

“I haven’t played it in 50 years and what is more, here’s a special guest, a Rolling Stone: Ronnie Wood.

“And another surprise for you – the mighty, the one and only, Ringo Starr!”

The performance was the last in Sir Paul’s Got Back Tour, which began in October.