DAYS after former Beatle Ringo Starr made a triumphant homecoming on the roof of St George’s Hall, he has been lambasted for flippant comments made about Liverpool on national television.

Ringo’s appearance on January 12 launched Liverpool Capital of Culture 2008 with the drummer’s new single, Liverpool 08, a self-penned homily to the city he left behind but “never let down”.

His appearance was broadcast to millions, and Ringo was adamant that during his “working trip” to his home town, he would squeeze in as much as he could to promote both his album, single and the work of the Capital of Culture.

But his typically cheeky replies to the host on BBC One’s Friday Night with Jonathan Ross appeared to some to contradict this mission statement. As a result, a heated debate has sprung into life on the airwaves and on internet chatrooms across the city. The furore surrounds his reply when asked what he missed most about Liverpool.

Initially, Ringo simply laughed, forcing a surprised Ross to say: “I didn’t know that question would get a laugh! Are there any things you miss about not being in Liverpool any more?”

“No,” Ringo replied.

After more laughter, he added: “I was that excited over the weekend, I was that close to coming back.” He did admit he loved growing up in Liverpool and made reference to members of his family living in Merseyside.

But many people have objected to the jokey tone that appeared to contradict the opinions he expressed in a Daily Post interview last week.

In the interview, he talked about the things he wanted to do while in the town where he was born, like visit his old school and sign autographs for the pupils.

He claimed he became very nostalgic as he was driven around the Dingle area.

But, after Friday’s comments, The Daily Post internet message boards were quickly filled with angry comments.

On Saturday morning, Billy Butler’s BBC Radio Merseyside show was inundated with irate listeners, and Roger Lyon fielded a number of calls in the afternoon show.