When I’m 64? Ringo still feels like he’s only 24!

Vikings wore horned helmets. Einstein failed his maths exams. Napoleon was a wee shortie.

What do these things have in common? They’re all things people say thinking they’re true but are actually false.

Add another to the list from now on you can tell anyone who disparages Ringo Starr’s contribution to The Beatles that they’re wrong!

I sat through the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall Of Fame Awards last week and the tributes to world’s most famous drummer were absolutely glowing.

It’s a surprise Ringo hadn’t already been inducted into the Hall Of Fame and to listen to the praise he was getting it made you wonder why.

I got to sit down for a chat with Ringo last week before he collected his award, and we talked about his career as well as his latest album, aptly titled Postcards From Paradise.

If you thought he’s only a nice guy who loves talking about peace and love . . . well, you’re probably right.

When it comes to hippy ideals, Ringo certainly walks the walk and does it barefoot, through a field, while doing the “peace” sign, in fact.

Ringo is exactly how you’d think Ringo would be.

I asked him where the time has gone he’s 74 now and this latest album is actually his 18th!

“I’ve no idea,” he tells me in his familiar Scouse accent, which has a wee hint of California sun to it these days. “Some of the albums I don’t even remember.

“But I’ll always remember our first Beatles record, Love Me Do. They told us when they’d be playing it on the BBC it was 9:07pm. “So we’d pull over the van and listen to it.”

Records have always been what I do. I still get the buzz when I’m doing it because I’m hanging out with friends!”

Ringo doesn’t look like a man who needs to get by with a little help from his friends, though. In fact, he looks delighted to be Ringo.

Well, you would, wouldn’t you? I asked him how old he felt.

“Twenty-four,” he replied immediately. “I spoke to my son last year who turned 40. “He said, ‘I feel I’m only 27.’ I told him he’s not allowed to be 27 as I only feel 24!”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Ringo ever wrote an autobiography?

Just think his time in the Beatles, through the difficult ’80s and on to today.

“Nope,” he said quite firmly. “So far I’ve been putting it off.

“I don’t have any regrets. OK, I’ve made a few mistakes. I could have been more interested in the ’80s but I was substance-abusing. But I’m past all that.”

He certainly looks past any worries it looks good to be Ringo!