Sir Paul McCartney's secret childhood crush unveiled in new album

Sir Paul McCartney faced the heartache of losing his first wife Linda to cancer and endured a painful £24million divorce from Heather Mills before eventually rediscovering happiness with the American entrepreneur Nancy Shevell.

However, today The Sun can disclose the identity of the secret childhood crush who was Sir Paul’s “one that slipped away” — an attractive neighbour whose captivating appearance inspired the opening track of his new album, which recounts his early years in Liverpool.

The album was presented at a preview event in London earlier this month, where the legendary Beatles songwriter reminisced about a striking neighbour named Jasmine, who lived close to his childhood home.

Today, it has been revealed that she is retired mother-of-three Jasmine Howe, who left the area to settle in Hertfordshire, before eventually retiring to the New Forest in Hampshire.

And now at the age of 83, her family were taken aback to discover the £800million rock icon’s youthful fascination — confessing she had “absolutely no clue” about his admiration for her.

The Boys Of Dungeon Lane marks Sir Paul’s first solo album in five years, with reviewers calling it his “most personal work to date”.

The album’s name is drawn from Days We Left Behind, a melancholic acoustic piece that details Dungeon Lane, near the River Mersey, where McCartney spent time during his youth, as well as a “secret code” and an enigmatic promise made to John Lennon at the time, which he insists “will remain unbroken”.

During an exclusive event held at the renowned Abbey Road studios in London, where the Fab Four produced their blockbuster hits, Sir Paul showcased tracks from the new album and elaborated on their origins, beginning with the opening track, As You Lie There.

The song lyrics ponder: “Do I ever come to your mind as you rest there? As you lie across your bed, do I linger in your thoughts?”

Revealing its muse to a select audience, Sir Paul recounted: “In one of those windows, there was a girl I admired named Jasmine.

Prior to marrying his third wife, Macca was known for his notably vibrant dating life.

His first significant relationship was with Dorothy ‘Dot’ Rhone, whom he encountered at the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool in 1959.

The couple dated for over two years and were even committed to engagement but parted ways just before Beatlemania took off.

In 1963, Paul was introduced to actress and model Jane Asher backstage at one of the band’s performances.

The romance blossomed over five years and Paul even resided at her family home on London’s Wimpole Street.

Jane became his inspiration, introducing him to avant-garde arts and the classical music sphere, prompting some of his renowned creations.

Despite being enchanted by Jane’s sophisticated family and their homely setting, Paul had clandestine liaisons with model Maggie McGivern and US author Francie Schwartz — deceits which eventually ended one of the Sixties’ iconic love stories.

He crossed paths with his second wife, model and activist for amputees Heather Mills, at a charitable event in 1999, and they wed three years afterward.

Their daughter Beatrice was welcomed into the world the following year. Yet, the couple parted ways contentiously three years later in a highly publicised divorce — which cost the star £24million.

Nevertheless, the musician found true joy with his first spouse, American photographer Linda.

They married in 1969, shared the nurturing of four children, and stayed devoted until her passing from breast cancer in 1998.

During his upbringing, Sir Paul resided with his parents at 20 Forthlin Road in Allerton, Liverpool, with Jasmine nearby at the corner of adjacent Hurstlyn Road, mere 20 yards away.

Both dwellings continue to stand within the south Liverpool district, set amid a chain of brick-constructed terraces — though Sir Paul’s is now preserved and maintained by The National Trust as a heritage site.

The Trust arranges guided tours of Sir Paul’s residence and also of John Lennon’s neighbouring childhood home.

Inside, the three-bedroom house presents a pristine glimpse into 1960s Liverpool, featuring segments of the family’s initial furnishings — and an outer blue plaque commemorates “The Birthplace of The Beatles” as Paul and companion John convened there to write their early tracks.

Jasmine subsequently wedded her beau Charles, known familiarly as Christopher, and they cherished three sons — Philip, Matthew, and with a touch of humour, Paul.

An image of Jasmine shared online by a family acquaintance portrays her stylishly clad in a navy jacket at a kin’s wedding, with neatly styled blonde locks beneath a broad-brimmed hat.

The family member detailed: “At 83 now, she leads a quiet life. She wouldn’t wish it to evolve beyond the present story — she had no awareness that Sir Paul admired her, and she is content to leave it there.

“It’s a delightful tale for our family.”

The album, hitting the shelves on May 29, recalls the legendary songwriter’s childhood memories and personal experiences, with Sir Paul expounding further on his 18th solo endeavour.

In a separate track, Salesman Saint, Sir Paul touches on themes connected with his parents. “Born in 1942, during wartime. Though too young to grasp it, my parents certainly did feel its effects.

Meanwhile, Down South, categorized as one of the album’s most reminiscent tracks, captures the essence of hitchhiking adventures with Lennon and future fellow Beatles member George Harrison.

The lyrics detail: “It was a brilliant opportunity to better know you before we learned Twist & Shout.”

Recalling one such journey, Sir Paul unveils how he and George capitalized on a milk float ride.

The new album was discreetly premiered in Liverpool through a series of enigmatic images throughout the city.

Artwork accompanying the project comes from the creative hands of Sir Paul’s nephew, Josh.

Ringo Starr, The Pretenders’ lead vocalist Chrissie Hynde, and Texas frontwoman Sharlene Spiteri make guest appearances.

The album’s drop aligns with other significant Beatles retrospectives — inclusively, Peter Jackson’s acclaimed Get Back documentary derived from revamped archival videos narrating the making of their concluding album, Let It Be, and the band’s dissolution.

Yet to look forward to is a significant new dramatization surrounding the band’s meteoric rise directed by Sam Mendes, with Paul Mescal embodying McCartney.

This epic production will simultaneously debut as a four-part series in 2028, with each film examining one of the Fab Four’s pivotal years, chronicling their transformation into the world’s preeminent musical ensemble.