The reformed rock legend, who turns 70 in July, admitted he had lost his way when he was younger, first as a Beatle then later after the group broke up.

He experimented with LSD and marijuana when he was a Beatle in the 1960s, then later in the 1970s suffered alcohol and cocaine problems.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the drummer, who is now a teetotal and has quit his 60-a-day cigarette habit, said that religion was one of the most important aspects in his life.

“I feel the older I get, the more I’m learning to handle life. Being on this quest for a long time, it’s all about finding yourself.

“For me, God is in my life. I don’t hide from that ... I think the search has been on since the ‘60s.

“I stepped off the path there for many years and found my way [back] onto it, thank God.”

Starr, who is a vegetarian, is married to former Bond girl Barbara Bach and now splits his time between homes in Los Angeles, London and Monaco.

It is believed a song on his new album, Walk With You, was inspired by his relationship with God.