Ex-Blur guitarist 'never so happy'

Former Blur guitarist Graham Coxon said today he was looking forward to seeing the band play without him after he was given his marching orders.

And now he is out of the line-up after more than a decade, he declared: "I’ve honestly never been so happy."

Coxon said there was a long history of "resentments" within the group and added: "You can’t just cure it with a phone call."

The star said the idea of watching the band play a live show appealed to him now he was no longer in it: “I’d like to see one – I’ve always wanted to see Blur.”

The guitarist’s position has been uncertain for weeks after playing on early sessions for a forthcoming album, but then taking no further role in subsequent months.

However he told Time Out: "I haven’t had a piece of paper that I can frame and put on my wall. But they didn’t require my services anymore.

"Perhaps they felt that, as a person, they couldn’t really have me around. We’ve been through a lot together that would put any friendship under great strain.

"They should do what makes them happy. Because I’m gonna do what makes me happy. And they’re not happy with me in the group, so..."