Sir Paul McCartney has revealed he was turned away by security before a recent gig at The White House.

The former Beatle was scheduled to perform for a small audience, which included President Barack Obama, in the East Room last month.

But before the show, Sir Paul and his band had trouble getting into the building in Washington DC.

“For the rehearsal, we got through fine,” he told the Associated Press. “But for the actual gig, we were sort of not let in.

“At the gate we said, ‘We're the entertainment.’ He said, ‘No, you'll have to walk around the other block.’.

“It was heavy traffic, so we're going, ‘Oh geesh. Wouldn't you just know it.’”

Despite the confusion, the singer went on to make the gig and said the incident was one of his fondest memories of the visit.

Sir Paul was awarded the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by President Obama.

The Gershwin Prize is given out by the Library of Congress. The previous recipients were Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon.

(by Jason Gregory)