Ringo Starr believes Taylor Swift's popularity is the "closest thing" to Beatlemania for this generation

Ringo told American Songwriter: "I think Taylor Swift is great anyway. She's pulling them in, you know."

Ringo first crossed paths with Taylor at the Grammy Awards when she was 14 years old. The chart-topping star attended the awards show with her mother.

Ringo shared: "When we talk about her, I always have to mention that the first time I met her, she was 14.

"She was at the Grammys with her mother. And then, I saw a photo of her the other day, just yesterday, of her and her mother."

Meanwhile, Sir Paul McCartney previously heaped praise on Taylor, revealing that his song 'Who Cares' was partially inspired by the award-winning pop star.

The 82-year-old singer observed that Taylor, 34, has a very strong connection with her "young fans", describing the bond as a "sort of a sisterly thing".

Speaking about 'Who Cares' - which addresses the dangers of online bullying - Paul told the BBC: "I was actually thinking about Taylor Swift and her relationship to her young fans and how it's sort of a sisterly thing.

"And I was imagining talking to one of these young fans, and saying: 'Have you ever been bullied? Do you get bullied?'

"Then, I say: 'Who cares about the idiots? Who cares about all this? Who cares about you? Well ... I do.'"