'I married Paul for love, not money'

In a TV interview to be broadcast in the US, the former Beatle's estranged wife makes wide-ranging claims in what is being seen as an attempt to boost her public image.

As well as saying that she fell in love with McCartney "unconditionally", Mills, 38, told the Extra programme that:

Eighty-five per cent of her income goes to charity.
She is not having an affair with her trainer.
She will never marry again.
Supporters hug her in the street.

"I'm a good mother - I'm a good person," she said in the interview, which is to be broadcast next week. "I fell in love for the right reason. I fell in love unconditionally."

Ms Mills - who is also reported to be in negotiations with ITV over a post-divorce interview - adds: "Eighty-five per cent of my income goes to charity.

"The word gold digger doesn't go with that...If I was a gold digger, I would have a lot of money in my bank account... I'd be worth millions."

The US interview is being interpreted as an attempt to counter the negative publicity she garnered after the leak of divorce papers in which she claims that Sir Paul, 64, was violent towards her.

Ms Mills also denies that she has become romantically involved with Ben Amigoni, 22, her trainer with whom she has been pho --tographed. "I haven't got a lover," she said. "At the moment, I'm focusing on my daughter. It's totally made up!"

Ms Mills said her daughter with Sir Paul - three-year-old Beatrice, whose custody arrangements have not been determined - was her "greatest accomplishment " and described her tumultuous road to pregnancy. "I tried for a long, long time...two ectopic pregnanciesand six miscarriages. They told me I could never have children."

Despite her media image, Ms Mills said she had received spontaneous gestures of affection from strangers. "I have had so much public support...people hugging me in the streets," she said.

Sir Paul, who is believed to be worth £825 million, filed for divorce in July, citing Ms Mills's "unreasonable behaviour".

During the interview Mills does not directly comment on the proceedings, including the deposition in which she alleged physical and verbal abuse. Sir Paul has denied the claims.

Ms Mills appears to be in no hurry to find another husband. When asked if she would ever marry again, she responded with a resounding "Never".