Paul McCartney has been released from hospital.

The 71-year-old musician was discharged by doctors last night after spending almost a week recovering from a mystery virus at St Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo, Japan.

The Beatles legend, who was forced to cancel the Asian leg of his Out There! world tour, was excited about being reunited with his family as he boarded a private jet heading back home. "Paul has really been through the mill. He was desperately sad he had to cancel those shows but he was really poorly. But he is on the mend which is great news," a source said. Paul's wife Nancy Shevell, 53, was by his bedside throughout the six days he spent in hospital.

The US leg of Paul's tour will go ahead as planned on June 14.