Paul McCartney is working on the very first musical while adapting an iconic film to the stage

Sir Paul McCartney is working on his very first musical – an on-stage adaptation of the iconic movie It's A Wonderful Life.

The 77-year-old former Beatle has teamed up with theater and film actor Bill Kenwright to produce the show.

Macca writes music and works on lyrics with award-winning screenwriter and screenwriter Tony Hall.

Sir Paul said, "Like a lot of things, it all started with an email. Bill had asked if that was something I could be doing.

"Writing a musical is not something that really pleased me, but Bill and I met Lee and talked and thought it might be interesting and fun.

"It's a wonderful life, it's a universal story to which we can all relate." The process took a few years to come to fruition. Bill, who owns the rights to the film, explained how Macca's demo on the tracks "exceeded expectations."

He added, "The songs take you to a place where you do not expect to go. It sounds simple, but it's misleading. It's Paul's genius.

Based on Philip Van Doren Stern's novel The Most Beautiful Gifts, it's a wonderful life was produced and produced by Frank Capra and released in 1946.

It tells the story of George Bailey, who is lucky enough to be suicidal and unaware of the life he has touched in his community. But he is saved by a guardian angel.

Macca has just completed the US tour of his Freshen Up World Tour with a concert in Los Angeles.