Ringo Starr's children are "fed up" with him threatening to retire.

The 84-year-old musician - who has Zak, 59, and Jason, 57, and daughter Lee, 54, with late ex-wife Maureen - admitted that every time he comes off a tour, he tells his kids that he is going to throw in the towel but then something else always comes up to entice him back to the stage.

He told this week's edition of People magazine: "Sometimes when I finish a tour, I'm like, 'That's the end for me.' And all my children say, 'Oh, Dad, you've told us that for the last 10 years.' And they get fed up with me.

"I do feel, 'Oh, that's got to be enough,' and then I get a phone call: 'We've got a few gigs if you're interested.' Okay, we're off again!"

The Beatles legend - who shot to fame alongside Sir Paul McCartney, as well as the late John Lennon and George Harrison in the 1960s as part of the 'Hey Jude' hitmakers - has now been playing with the All Starr Band for over 30 years, and ahead of their tour later this year, fondly recalled that their first performance was in a field.

He said: "In those days, I had a phone book, so I found guys who were musicians and I'd call them.

"We opened in Texas in a field and it was great. And we've been doing it ever since because I love to play live. I love the audience, I know they love me and we have a great time."

Ringo also released his chart-topping album 'Look Up' earlier this year and it was an exploration of the country genre.

He said: "It sort of took its own way. We can make the right turns sometimes.

"It's working out really well. I've been surprised a lot lately."