The Beatle attended Liverpool Philharmonic Hall to honour students and stars
15:41, 29 Jul 2025Updated 16:46, 29 Jul 2025
Sir Paul McCartney arriving for the LIPA Graduation Ceremony at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Sir Paul McCartney fans gathered outside Liverpool Philharmonic Hall to catch a glimpse of the Beatle as he attended LIPA graduations today. Nine leading figures from the creative arts industry were also made LIPA Companions at the ceremony.
International ‘superfans’ gathered at the back entrance of the hall for Sir Paul’s arrival. Sonia Regina Machado, who was visiting from Brazil aware that Paul would be here, proudly showed off photos of previous times she’d spotted the musician and said: “I have two husbands, Paul – and my other husband.”
From Atlanta, runners of fan magazine Penny Lane Press and lifelong fans, Clint Ard and Joey Terrell hoped to catch a glimpse of Paul too. Joey said: “Over fifty years we’ve been fans- I got on stage with him once!”
Sir Paul McCartney fans from Atlanta,Georgia,USA,at the LIPA Graduation Ceremony at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.(Pic Andrew Teebay).(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Sir Paul awarded Companionships to The Wombats, comprising of Matthew Murphy, Tord Øverland Knudsen, and Dan Haggis, who met and formed at LIPA in 2003 and their manager and LIPA graduate Simon Bobbett.
Other figures that received the award included The Hobbit’s James Nesbitt, The Big Bang Theory’s Gay Linvill, Skyfall’s Sir Sam Mendes Hustle’s Adrian Lester, and CEO of Go live Theatre Sita McIntosh.
Sir Paul McCartney and his Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) companions for 2025 (back row left to right) Adrian Lester, James Nesbitt, Mark Featherstone-Witty, Sita McIntosh, Gay Linvill and Professor Sean McNamara. (Front row left to right) The Wombats Tord Overland Knudsen, Matthew Murphy and Dan Haggis with Manager Simon Bobbett at the annual graduation ceremony for the LIPA held at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.(Image: PA)
LIPA’s Principal and CEO Professor Sean McNamara says: “Today is a celebration of creativity, collaboration and possibility.
“As artists, innovators, and leaders who will inspire others through their work, the graduating class of 2025 possesses the skills, the vision and the confidence to influence culture and the world around them.
“We are immensely proud of them and look forward to seeing the future they create.”
Sir Paul McCartney fan Sonia Regina Machado from Brazil,at the LIPA Graduation Ceremony at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
The companionships were awarded for outstanding achievement and contribution to learning at the graduation ceremony of around 420 students from over 30 countries, including Colombia, Hong Kong and India this afternoon.
Sir Sam Mendes received his LIPA Companionship via video.
Sir Paul and Mark Featherstone-Witty, who also attended today, founded LIPA, on the site of Paul’s and George Harrison’s old school The Liverpool Institute High School for Boys, in 1996.
Due to celebrate its 30th birthday next year, LIPA offers undergraduate, masters and foundation certificate programs in disciplines including Acting, Dance, Music, Musical Theatre, Filmmaking, Theatre Production, Design, Sound Technology, and Arts Management.