The couple, parents to 11-year-old Beatrice, split in 2008 after four years of marriage.

“There were times when I was really unhappy. When I woke up in hospital and was told I’d lost my leg I always knew I could cope, I always knew everything would be all right,” Mills, who lost her leg after being hit by a police car 20 years ago, told the Daily Mail.

“When I got married I thought I’d be protected but I wasn’t, I was hung out to dry. It’s the worst thing I’ve ever gone through and now I’m over it.”

Mills, dubbed the “most hated woman in Britain” after her sensational split, said her biggest mistake was marrying the Beatles legend. She admitted that Yoko Ono, the wife of John Lennon, was her bulwark.

“I like Yoko. She’s a very wise, very lovely woman. And yes, for some reason it’s very hard to be married to a Beatle,” the former model said.

“Linda had it tough, Yoko had it tough and what happened to me after the divorce … losing my leg was easier to cope with. I married Paul because I was completely in love with him. He had so much energy — he was a cross between Peter Pan and Captain Hook. I wasn’t even a Beatles fan. I barely even knew any of the songs. I liked one song by Wings but that was it. He loved that.”

However the 47-year-old said a fundamental clash in their personalities was their undoing.

“I say what I think. If I think something is wrong I’ll say it. If I wasn’t that type of person we’d still be married now,” she said.

“But for years I was attracted to these very strong, powerful men who think they want a strong woman but actually they want someone who does what they want. The men who seem the strongest are usually the most insecure. But I’ve finally broken that cycle. My last boyfriend, Jamie Walker [a holiday rep], was the opposite, but he is the most lovely, secure, honourable man.”

Mills has been married twice, including to businessman Alfie Karmal in 1989.

The controversial Alpine skier said she has no problems snagging men.

“I never saw that by losing a leg I was in any way losing my femininity. Even now, I’m 47 and if I see a hot man I know I can have him. I might not want him but I can have him,” she said.

“I’m not embarrassed about my leg — in fact a good chat-up line from me is, ‘How do you fancy massaging my stump?’ Sex appeal is about confidence. Confidence is about knowing who you are and being happy with that. Thank God I have my confidence.”

Mills, who is ranked 28th in world slalom by the International Paralympic Committee, is set to star in a British television program, The Jump alongside celebrities including rugby star Mike Tindall, heptathlete Louise Hazel and model Jodie Kidd.