Could it be possible that that long-time exponent of peace and love, former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, no longer wants to hear from his fans?

To the shock of almost everyone, in mid-October Starr suddenly declared that any letters he receives from his admirers will end up in the trash.

Ringo, whose real name is Richard Starkey, recently announced that he is suffering from fan fantigue and, after 45 years of stardom, he no longer wants to devote any time to answering mail or send signed photos back to fans.

To that end, he posted a short video clip on his Web site telling fans that any mail sent to him after Oct. 20 will not be read or answered. His voice was described as “sometimes angry sounding.”

Specifically, Starr said on the video, “It’s going to be tossed. I’m warning you with peace and love, I have too much to do. So no more fan mail. Thank you, thank you. And no objects to be signed. Nothing. Anyway, peace and love, peace and love.”

As most mature people realize, one of the prices — dare we say pleasures? — of celebrity is being kind and courteous to those who elevated one to such a rare status.

As for his “peace, love” mumbo-jumbo, we can only say (unenthused), “Yeah, yeah, yeah.