Ringo Starr: The Beatles never needed a 'holiday' like One Direction

Beatle Ringo Starr said he does not understand why a band like One Direction would need to take a "hiatus" or "holiday".

Speaking at the launch of his new book at the National Portrait Gallery, he told ITV London Reporter Nick Thatcher he loved being in the Beatles and they never needed to take a break, even at the height of their fame.

When they found their touring schedule too gruelling, he said, they would retreat into the studio.

He also claimed to be the first person to take a "selfie", and shared a snap he took of himself in mirror that features in the new book.

The book, Photograph, is a collection of snaps taken throughout his musical career, including various shots of the Fab Four at the height of Beatlemania.

Starr is an accomplished photographer who first became interested in photography back in the 60s.

Prints of some of the pictures featured in the book are also on display.