FANS from across the world travelled to Liverpool this weekend to catch a glimpse of former Beatle Ringo Starr performing in the city.

Marco Antonio Mallagoli was one of them. He made a 6,000- mile trip from Sao Paulo, Brazil, with his wife, Edmea, to see Ringo.

Mr Mallagoli runs a Beatle fan site called Revolution, and said he could not miss the chance to see Ringo perform in his home city.

But his journey almost ended in heartbreak. Through an internet exchange he had paid £200 for two tickets and arranged for them to be dropped off at his hotel, the Adelphi.

But the tickets never arrived. Disappointed and dejected Mr Mallagoli went to Mathew Street where he met a fellow fan who urged him to contact Radio City to put a shout out to see if anyone could help.

The Liverpool Culture Company heard of his ordeal and stepped in with two passes for the event.

Mr Mallagoli said: “It has been very emotional for me. The last time I saw Ringo before this was 1989.

“I watched him on Friday, but I am so excited to be here to watch him (in the Echo Arena).

“Me and my wife paid £200 for the tickets from the internet site Gumtree.

“I was frustrated and shocked and just wanted to go to sleep when I realised I could not go to the concert.

“I was so pleased when Mike (Culture Company press officer) got the tickets for me.

“Ringo is a big star – he is the greatest. I am a big fan, so I needed to see the concert.”

Mr Mallagoli was due to go to London before returning to Brazil on Thursday.

“I like Liverpool, Liverpool is better than London. Every time I come to Liverpool the emotion is very big.”

He said his website is viewed more than 650,000 times a month by Brazilians.

“Everybody in Brazil loves The Beatles.”