LET HER BE; Macca's amazing website rant at the 'wounding' reports on wife Heather.(Features)

Byline: BEN TODD Showbusiness Editor

SIR PAUL McCartney has dramatically lashed out at critics of his wife Heather - in an amazing rant over the internet.

Heather Mills has been savaged by rumour and criticism since she first started dating Sir Paul almost six years ago. But Sir Paul, 62, in a THREE-PAGE attack, stormed on Heather's official website: "One of the most shocking recent statements was that 'losing her leg was perhaps the best thing that ever happened to Heather as it fed her desire for self-publicity'.

"Imagine losing a leg and dealing with it as bravely as Heather has done and having to read that on top of it."

The former Beatle - who wed Heather in June 2002 - added: "She was reported to always be clinging to me, the inference being that she was too possessive.

"Never mind the fact that I love her holding my arm, the real truth is that often the surface of a floor or pavement can be dangerous for an amputee to walk on, and a little help from a friend can sometimes be appreciated."

Heather's sister Fiona Mills also vented her anger by posting messages late Friday night.

Critics have made a series of accusations against Heather, that she forces Sir Paul to dye his hair, uses him for publicity and has strained his relations with his children.

Traditionally the former Beatle, who will perform at American Football's Superbowl tonight in Jacksonville, Florida, has kept silent. But he has chosen to hit back after Heather - who lost her leg when a police motorcycle crashed into her in 1993 - was even accused of using her injury for her own self-publicity.

In an emotional 1,100-word tirade, Sir Paul continued: "It hurts me to see her wounded by these scurrilous reports, and not have anyone to put the record straight."

On the claims that she makes him dye his hair, Sir Paul wrote: "It is true that I colour my hair. Wow, shock horror! I've actually been doing this for many years now with varying degrees of success, but it's my hair, and if you don't like the result I'm afraid it's just too bad, but it's certainly nothing Heather suggested."

Macca also rejected speculation that he parted company last autumn with his long-time publicist, former journalist Geoff Baker, because Baker and Heather did not get on. In an amazing sideswipe, Sir Paul wrote: "The actual truth, which I had been trying to spare him the embarrassment of going public with, was that he had gradually been getting more and more unstable. The last straw came when a group of friends and I went late one night to see David Blaine doing a stunt by the River Thames. I was keeping out of sight of a small crowd of photographers when to my horror I saw Geoff pointing me out to the paparazzi who then ran towards me in a feeding frenzy.

"It was just another example of his crazy behaviour. After that I tried to let him down gently, but it was my decision alone to let him go."

The multi-millionaire dismissed the suggestion he had been coerced by his wife to appear on Celebrity Millionaire.

"In fact, we're both fans of the programme and we had a good laugh taking part in it."

Sir Paul also dismissed rumours of a rift with his children saying: "We get on great and anyone who knows our family can see for themselves."

And on being made to have plastic surgery, he said: "Now the truth, honest, guv'nor, is that I haven't had any done."

And he added: "An LA plastic surgeon had a book out in which he claims I've had some work done! OK, now I know it's not true, but this guy knows better. How? The proof, he reckons, is that...wait for it ...my ear lobes are too low!...and, says he, you know how you can tell people have had plastic surgery? They deny it!!! I felt like entering into a debate, but it's so hilarious I decided not to bother."

Heather's sister Fiona, also her manager, decided to speak out as well. She said: "In addition to having her left leg severed, Heather suffered a crushed pelvis, broken ribs, a punctured lung - and almost died four times."

Heather's publicist Anya Noakes said: "I think people forget Linda (Sir Paul's first wife) had a hard time when she was first with Paul and he feels he wants to put a stop to it."

ON DYEING HIS HAIR

It is true that I colour my hair. Wow, shock horror! But it's certainly nothing Heather suggested

ON SACKING PUBLICIST

It was my decision alone to let him go. I just felt that Geoff was getting more and more unstable.

ON PLASTIC SURGERY

The truth, honest guv'nor, is that I haven't had any done, although an LA surgeon says he knows better

CAPTION(S):

Sir Paul lends; a supporting arm to his wife Heather; Hitting out... the McCartneys' website