Paul McCartney dismisses Yoko Ono’s claims about John Lennon’s sexuality

Sir Paul McCartney has addressed long-standing speculation regarding John Lennon’s sexuality, recalling a surprising conversation with Yoko Ono following the singer's death in 1980.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, republished alongside the documentary Man on the Run, McCartney revealed that Ono suggested her husband "might have been gay" during a private phone call.

McCartney, however, remained sceptical of the claim based on their intimate history as bandmates. “I swear [Ono] rang me shortly after John died and said, ‘You know, I think John might have been gay,’” he recounted.

He countered this by citing their shared experiences in the 1960s, noting they were often around "loads and loads of girls."

McCartney further clarified that despite frequently sharing sleeping quarters during their touring years, he never witnessed any same-sex attraction from Lennon. “There was never a gesture, never an expression. It was nothing.

So I had no reason to believe this at all,” he stated. He also addressed rumours concerning Lennon’s 1963 trip to Spain with manager Brian Epstein, describing it as a calculated "power play" by Lennon to assert his leadership within The Beatles rather than a romantic encounter.

Beyond these reflections, new details have emerged regarding McCartney’s role in reconciling the couple during their 1974 separation.

Family friend Elliot Mintz revealed that McCartney visited a heartbroken Lennon in Los Angeles, advising him to "prove" his devotion through traditional courtship.

The guidance proved successful, leading to their reunion and the conclusion of Lennon’s infamous "Lost Weekend" period of bachelorhood.