As the music world reverberated with the shocking news that Oasis had split, Liam Gallagher left his troubles behind with a trip to Lake Como in Italy. His brother Noel's departure from the band on Friday looked like the last thing on his mind as he smooched with wife Nicole Appleton, who had flown out from London to meet him.
Noel this week said intolerable "violent and verbal intimidation" towards family and friends and a "lack of support" from management and bandmates forced him to quit the group.
"The details are not important and of too great a number to list," said the singer in his blog on the band's website. He walked out on Friday following a bust-up with Liam before the Paris show of their world tour. The gig was cancelled along with the remaining dates in Germany and Italy. The brothers have had a rocky relationship since they formed the band in Manchester in 1991. But until now, neither of them had officially quit the group - which led the Nineties 'Britpop' movement and sold over 50 million records worldwide.
As well as apologising for the cancelled shows, Noel said the rock group's success had been a "dream come true", adding: "I take with me glorious memories." The group's spokeswoman said Liam and the other band members would consider whether to carry on without Noel, the chief songwriter and lead guitarist. She said: "I expect in the next couple of days a decision will be made as to how to continue or if they continue." Alan McGee, who discovered Oasis and signed the band, predicted a reunion tour in five year's time. "They love each other. When people love each other, they'll always make peace," he said.
