‘Fifth Beatle’ returns to stage for Lennon show

Pete BeSt, the Beatles drummer denied stardom when he was sacked in 1962 and replaced by Ringo Starr, is to play himself in a new stage drama at liverpool’s epstein theatre.

the comedy, lennon’s Banjo, based on a book by Rob Fennah, is about a quest to find the holy grail of pop memorabilia — the first instrument John lennon learned to play. ‘ When speaking to Rob Fennah about the book becoming a stage play, I said in passing, “I should play me!”,’ says Best, 76, one of several people referred to as the Fifth Beatle.

‘‘and, lo and behold, here I am doing a few of the performances.’

Starr, 77, has no need to play himself on stage, as he is worth £200 million.