Jane Asher was born on April 5, 1946. By the early age of 17 she was already a successful professional actress. She was a regular on the show Juke Box Jury. One night she was hired to scream in the audience when the Beatles were onstage. After the show, the Beatles invited her back to their hotel, after which they all went to a friend's flat named Chris Hutchins. At first it appeared as though it was George who was attracted to Jane most, but later it was apparent that Paul was smitten. The other boys thought it best to leave the two alone, and they left Jane and Paul in Chris' bedroom. When they returned many hours later, they were shocked to find the two in the exact same position as they left them – sitting on the bed, talking about favorite foods and such. They soon drove Jane home, and Paul asked for her number. They soon started seeing each other steadily. Paul soon started staying at Jane's mother's home in London while he was in the area. This turned ugly, however, when fans found out Paul stayed there on occassion. They surrounded the house constantly.
Paul wanted to marry Jane, but she feared that this would hinder her acting career. Jane was aware that Paul, a victim of the typical Northern upbringing of the time, would want her to be a housewife when they wed, but Jane was too independent to stay home. They argued about her career constantly, and out of frustration Paul wrote "I'm Looking Through You" about Jane. Paul constantly argued that she had fallen in love with his image, not him. She denied this, saying she fell in love with Paul McCartney, not "Beatle Paul."
As well as writing "I'm Looking Through You" about Jane, Paul also wrote these Beatles songs about her: "Here, There and Everywhere," "And I Love Her," "I’m Looking Through You," "We Can Work It Out," and "For No One."
Jane and Paul soon moved into a 3-story Victrian home in St. John's Wood in London. They often entertained guests, acting just like a married couple. They soon bought another house in Scotland, the High Park Farm.
In 1968, Jane accompanied Paul and the rest of the Beatles' circle to Rishikesh, India. After this retreat she went on an American tour on one of her jobs. When she returned to England, she was shocked to find their home re-decorated in psychedelic designs and even more shocked to learn that Paul, at the encouragement of John, began experimenting with LSD.
Although Paul had consistently cheated on Jane while she was away, he wanted to settle down. On Christmas day in 1967, Jane accepted a marriage proposal from Paul. Everything seemed to be going great, but little did Jane know Paul would continue to cheat on her, going out to clubs while she was away working.
During this time the Beatles' company, Apple Corps., was having talent auditions, and one such auditioner was Francie Shwartz. She was an avid Beatles fan and had one goal in mind: to snag a Beatle. She met Paul, who readily accepted her enticing offer. Jane was out of town on a long job, and Paul and Francie started a short quartship. Paul had no idea Jane was going to be back early. ther woman and ignored their warnings. Jane was greeted by a flustered Paul and a strange woman sitting in their home.
Although it appeared as though it was all over between them, Jane and Paul went out together the very next day at Hyde Park. In June of 1968 they went to Paul's brother Mike's wedding. However, one month later things were not working out. Paul showed up alone to the premeire for Yellow Submarine. Jane announced their break-up on July 20, 1968 on the BBC show Dee Time.
In 1971, Jane met Gerald Scarfe, an illustrator for Disney. Two of their children, Kate and Alexander, were born in 1974. They finally married in 1981, and had their third child, Rory, in 1984. Jane is still continuing her acting career and has involved herself with many other projects: she has written over 14 books, carries her own line of party cakes, and runs a magazine in England which has given her the title of "The British Martha Stewart." Most recently, Jane has been part of the London play "The Things We Do For Love." She currently lives in Chelsea, London.
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