Sir Paul McCartney once offered to write and produce songs for the Four Tops.

Four Tops

Four Tops

The 74-year-old Beatles legend is a massive fan of the Motown band and the only surviving original member, Duke Fakir, has revealed when he met the guitarist at their manager Brian Epstein's party in London in 1966, he said he'd love to write some songs for them, but the 'Reach Out I'll Be There' hitmaker never took up his offer.

Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz - ahead of their UK tour which kicks off at Liverpool's Echo Arena on Friday (21.10.16) - Duke said: "Paul McCartney was very generous and came to me and told me he loved the Tops and he remembers when he first met us and we had a party in London, The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein threw a party for us, and Paul and I had a long talk. He asked me, 'Do you need some new music?' And I said we will call you, but I never called."

Despite a collaboration never happening, Duke, 80, wouldn't turn down the chance to have the 'Hey Jude' hitmaker pen some lyrics for the group now.

Asked if he would invite McCartney to work with them now, he said: "Of course. Are you kidding?"

And McCartney wasn't the only star who was desperate to work with the Four Tops as R&B singer Ne-Yo also made it known he would be up for writing or producing some tracks.

Duke added: "Ne-Yo also said he would be happy to write and produce some songs for us. But we never got together to do that."

The Four Tops, The Temptations and Tavares UK Tour Dates are as follows:

Liverpool Echo Arena, 21 Oct 2016 with special guests Tavares

Manchester Arena, 22 Oct 2016 with special guests Tavares

Leeds First Direct Arena, 23 Oct 2016 with special guests Tavares

Nottingham Capital FM Arena, 25 Oct 2016 with special guests Tavares

Birmingham Genting Arena, 26 Oct 2016 with special guests Tavares

London O2 Arena, 27 Oct 2016 with special guests Tavares

Bournemouth BIC, 29 Oct 2016 with special guests Tavares

Southend Cliffs Pavillion, 30 Oct 2016

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