Ringo Starr denies rehab rumours: ‘I’m healthy and happy’
Ringo Starr has been on a family vacation in Malibu, despite claims he is in rehab.
The Beatles drummer – who has previously had alcohol issues – insists is he is "healthy and happy", in spite of speculation he may have entered a rehabilitation centre.
A Radar Online report alleged the 76-year-old star had been in a residential programme for weeks but was planning to check out in time for his autumn tour dates with his All-Starr Band.
A source the website: "Ringo wanted to go into rehab.
"As a long-recovering alcoholic, he’s constantly worried about falling off the wagon. That’s his biggest fear."
BANG Showbiz reached out to a representative of the star who said: "The story today about Ringo in rehab is totally untrue.
"Ringo is healthy and happy and has been on holiday with his family in Malibu and sends everyone Peace & Love."
Ringo once entered rehab with his wife Barbara Bach – who he married in 1981 – and previously admitted he was "absolutely lost" following The Beatles’ break-up and turned to drink.
He said: "It got progressively worse, and the blackouts got worse, and I didn’t know where I’d been, what I’d done.
"I knew I had the problem for years. But it plays tricks with your head. Very cunning and baffling is alcohol."
Ringo has also admitted he was so "drunk" during some of the 1970s and 80s that he cannot remember what happened during years of his life.
He once said: "Some of those years are absolutely gone".
Despite these previous issues, Ringo had some good news to celebrate earlier this month when he became a great-grandfather as his granddaughter Tatia Starkey gave birth to son Stone Zakomo Low.
Ringo has a total of seven grandchildren from his three children, 50-year-old Zak, 48-year-old Jason and 45-year-old Lee.
His kids are all from his first wife Maureen Cox who he divorced in 1975.
