Hello, goodbye for bogus Beatles fans from Brazil

A group of Brazilians claiming to be going to a Beatles festival in Liverpool were refused entry to the UK by Heathrow airport immigration officers on Thursday after failing basic questions about the band.

Six fans out of72 people touring from Rio de Janeiro to the Mathew Street Festival were turned away after failing questions such as: "Who is Yoko Ono?" and "Is Ringo Starr dead?" Officers looking out for illegal immigrants from Brazil had Portuguese-speaking colleagues ask questions about the band.

The Home Officesaid: "Anyone trying to enter the UK must satisfy officers that they meet immigration rules. If they say they're here for a particular event, officers will check that's really the case."