Sir Paul McCartney has become the first rock star to sponsor a sumo wrestling tournament in Japan.

The musician is a big fan of the sport and paid to have his name and the cover of his latest album 'New' printed on the flags during the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament which was won by Harumafuji last week.

The event, which took place in the city of Fukuoka, is known as the ''Wimbledon of sumo wrestling'', and Paul and wife NANCY SHEVELL went along to watch.

The 71-year-old star said: ''I like sumo, I got hooked on it many years ago. It was cool, seeing some great bouts there.''

Being at a sumo wrestling match is not the first unlikely place for The Beatles legend to seen at.

Passengers stood silent when Paul decided to burst into song while riding on a New Orleans street car earlier this year.

The 'Ticket To Ride' singer was with a security guard and his wife when he started singing.

But rather than cheer him, most passengers mistook the star for a busker and some even threw money to him.

Commuter Robert Senft, 49, said: ''He started singing along with the whole carriage and taking pictures. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. One of the best days of my life.''