Noel still friends with ex-Oasis members

Noel Gallagher is still friends with his ex-Oasis bandmates Gem Archer and Chris Sharrock.

The musician insists he is still on good terms with the guitarist and drummer, despite his acrimonious exit from the group and their decision to form Beady Eye with his brother Liam and Andy Bell.

He said: “I'm still in touch with Gem and Chris Sharrock. I've been out for a drink with Chris since. They're my mates. I hope they're happy doing what they're doing."

Noel left Oasis in August 2009 after a massive backstage fight with Liam, during which the temperamental frontman tried to hit him with a guitar, before a festival appearance in Paris.

Since the altercation, the 44-year-old songwriter has not spoken to his sibling, and he has also not talked with Andy – who was the bassist in Oasis – because of his failure to step in when the bust-up was happening.

In an interview with NME magazine, Noel explained: “He (Andy) sat in that f***ing room in Paris that night, didn't say a f***ing word. I was like, 'You know what? I haven't got time for people like that.'

"I've got nothing against him, he's a f***ing lovely guy, and great to be in a band with, but really, when it came down to it, he didn't chirp up. “I'm like, 'F***ing hell, you sit there saying nothing while the band implodes around you.' But good luck to em all, y'know? Seriously. Good luck to 'em."

Noel is releasing his first solo single 'The Death of You and Me' on August 21 with exclusive B-side 'The Good Rebel'. His debut solo album 'Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds' will be released on October 17.