Paul McCartney and Jimmy Fallon surprise tourists in stunt at New York’s Rockefeller Centre

'No way!'

Fifty five years after The Beatles’ debut album Please Please Me came out, crowds of people are still erupting into screams at the sight of Paul McCartney.

In a video clip aired ahead of McCartney’s appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, the pair were seen surprising guests who were on a tour of US TV network NBC’s studios at the Rockefeller Centre in New York.

The lift doors “accidentally” open on the wrong floor, offering those on the tour a fleeting glimpse of first Fallon, and then McCartney engaging in various antics.

Those in the lift react with screams - apparently of delight - at the sight of Fallon, and reach an ecstatic crescendo each time McCartney is then revealed.

One guest is seen beginning to amble out of the lift towards the pair, but the lift operator holds her back.

“One of them tried to get out,” McCartney tells Fallon, after the pair had revealed their identities from behind copies of The New York Times while sitting on wingback chairs.

Another man in the lift shouts: “No way!” when McCartney is revealed. “Oh yeah way!” the singer responds.

In a final clip, the pair sing The Beatles' hit "Drive My Car" from 1965 album Rubber Soul, only this time when the lift doors open, there are no guests there.

McCartney was appearing on The Tonight Show to promote his 17th solo album Egypt Station, which comes out today and features the single “Fuh You”.