Jagger says ex's 'cheap' remark off-mark

LONDON, May 17 (UPI) -- Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger, who kept his counsel when stories of wild behavior surface, broke his silence to say he's not cheap as his ex-wife claimed.

Jagger, 63, recently was portrayed by former wife and model Jerry Hall of being a penny-pincher while they were married.

Hall, now 50, said in an interview, "He always wanted me to pay everything to do with the house and the children which I didn't mind, I guess, because I had the money. But, yeah, he's pretty tight with the day-to-day stuff."

In response, Jagger sought an interview with The Times of London, the newspaper said Thursday.

He told The Times, "I find her remarks absurd. I have always paid all expenses for the children as well as the lion's share of the costs relating to her lifestyle, and been more than happy to do so."

Hall also spoke kindly of Jagger, saying the two got along well. "I still like Mick and he's a great dad," she said.