A peek at the £1m Beatles notebook containing Paul McCartney’s handwritten lyrics for ‘Hey Jude’

A notebook containing Paul McCartney's handwritten lyrics for Hey Jude has gone on display at the Beatles Story.

The notebook, which originally belonged to the Fab Four's bodyguard and PA Mal Evans, was compiled between 1967 and 1968.

It's been lent to the attraction by former soap star Davinia Taylor, who was gifted it by her tycoon father in 1998 on her 21st birthday after she landed the role of a character called Jude in Hollyoakes.

Davinia said: "As a family we are absolutely delighted to be able to share this treasure worldwide. As a Scouser and huge Beatles fan, my dad felt it was so important for the notebook to be available in his hometown of Liverpool and for everyone to enjoy these precious insights into the world's best band!"

Lyrics, doodles and poetry

The rare notebook, now insured for £1 million, offers a glimpse into the ground-breaking era in Beatles' history when they produced 'Sgt Pepper' and 'The White Album'.

Diane Glover from The Beatles Story said: "This is so much still we don't know about The Beatles. Here at the Beatles Story, we tell the tale that everybody knows, but when we find pieces like this, it opens up a whole new side to the story.

“Mal Evans, at the minute is really popular; there's a lot of interest in him due to the 'Get Back' documentary.

“I think there's even more interesting sides to that story; his friendship with the Beatles and how important he was in their lives at that time this book really does show that."

Filled with original scribbles using brightly coloured ink from John, Paul, George, Ringo and Mal, the notebook features handwritten draft lyrics for 'Hey Jude', a part-lyric for 'Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band', recording notes by George Harrison as well as lyrics for a number of other songs.