Fans of Ringo Starr, the Beatles drummer, have less than 24 hours to get his autograph. Starr, regarded as the most down-to-earth member of The Beatles, has warned fans that he will no longer sign memorabilia for them after October 20, because he is too busy. The drummer posted a 40-second video on his official website earlier this month saying he no longer has time to cope with it. Dressed in black clothes and dark glasses, Starr, 68, said: "This is a serious message to everybody watching my update. Peace and love. Peace and love.

"I want to tell you after the 20th of October please do not send fan mail to any address you have. Nothing will be signed after the 20th of October. If that is the date on the envelope, it's gonna be tossed. I'm warning you with peace and love I have too much to do. So no more fan mail. Thank you, thank you. And no objects to be signed. Nothing. Anyway, peace and love, peace and love."

Since the video was posted, he has issued a statement apologising for his "gruff demeanor" in the video saying that he was only trying to make his point clear and he made the decision in order to reduce his carbon footprint.

Furthermore, the Beatle has opened a competition on his site asking fans to send him photos of his recent tour with the best photo set to win a signed drumhead. The closing date is October 30, 10 days after the drummer officially stops signing fanmail.