Noel Gallagher quits Oasis
Noel Gallagher was today contemplating life after Oasis after he quit the rock band, blaming his brother for the walkout.
In a statement on the band's website last night the Britpop star said: "It's with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight.
"People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.
"Apologies to all the people who bought tickets for the shows in Paris, Konstanz and Milan."
Earlier yesterday it was announced they had cancelled their second gig in the space of a week because of "an altercation within the band".
They were expected to play the Rock en Seine festival in Paris but the crowd were told by Bloc Party, who were due to perform before Oasis, the Manchester band would not be taking the stage.
Many of the crowd thought it was a joke - until the big screens at either side of the main stage showed the message "as a result of an altercation within the band, the Oasis gig has been cancelled".
Ben Clover, 28, who travelled from south London for the festival said: "I was hoping to see the band on the top of their game - now I am not sure we will ever see them perform live again.
"There are a lot of British Oasis fans who have come over for this gig and they are very disappointed."
Last weekend the band pulled out of the V Festival in Chelmsford which they were meant to headline.
The band pulled the plug on their show at the annual music event because frontman Liam Gallagher was struck down with viral laryngitis.
Their non-appearance sparked rumours they were set to split.
They were due to play Paris' Rock en Seine festival yesterday.
It has been claimed the brothers had a fist fight shortly before they were to take to the stage, resulting in Noel, 42, calling time on the group.
A source said: "It all kicked off after a few jibes were thrown back and forward between them. It got totally out of hand very quickly and all the pent-up anger just exploded.
"Noel has been so mild-mannered and above it all, but everyone has a breaking point. The fight was split up quickly but Liam smashed up one of Noel's guitars to make his point.
"That was it. The last act of anger that Noel could put up with. He just doesn't need the hassle any more."
Scottish singer Amy Macdonald was due to watch their Paris performance, and wrote on her Twitter page last night: "Oasis cancelled again with one minute to stage time!!! Liam smashed Noel's guitar, huuuge fight (sic)"
Earlier this month Liam revealed his relationship with his brother is so bad they no longer speak, travel separately on tour and only see eachother onstage.
Liam, 36, has apparently said the group will continue without chief songwriter Noel.
The brothers have a famously fiery relationship, the ‘Wonderwall’ songwriter has quit the band before, only to return at a later date.
In 2000, they got into a drunken fight in Barcelona after Liam questioned the legitimacy of his brother’s daughter Anais, provoking Noel into headbutting him.
The guitarist quit the tour, leaving the remaining members to carry on without him, however, he returned for the later UK dates.
During their phenomenal career Oasis scored eight UK number one singles and sold over 50 million albums worldwide.
Oasis fans last night took to micro-blogging site Twitter to express their sadness at Noel's departure.
PsychedelicAdam posted: "Noel Gallagher leaves Oasis? Gutted, no more Oasis then I guess, they were one of my favourite bands."
Wolvolass said: "I feel sick, sooo many good memories and gigs seeing Oasis over the years."
MattGriffin added: "This is the worst day ever."
As fans logged on to the band's official website to find out more information, others reported they were having trouble loading the site.
