Noel Gallagher faces huge backlash as he reveals disgraced Kasabian rocker Tom Meighan will support him on tour
NOEL GALLAGHER has thrown his weight behind former Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan.
The High Flying Birds frontman last night announced Tom Meighan – who was sacked from the group after assaulting his partner – would be supporting him on his massive arena tour later this year.
Noel’s controversial decision to back Tom has not gone down well with a number of fans, with some admitting they would be selling their tickets for the six dates in December.
One angry fan wrote online: “Honestly F**K Noel Gallagher for that. I don’t like spraying my opinions on this all over social media, but an addict is never going to recover properly whilst they’re being enabled by people, especially as influential as Noel.”
Another blasted: “Selling one standing ticket for Noel Gallagher in Glasgow!! I’m so f***kng angry that he’s allowing Tom Meighan be his support.”
Noel’s decision is clearly driven by Tom’s music – which saw him achieve six No1 albums and four Top Ten singles including Empire and Fire with Kasabian.
But last night insiders told me Noel’s decision to take on Tom as his support had raised eyebrows among some in the music industry – who pointed out Noel’s brother Liam Gallagher’s close friendship with Kasabian’s Serge Pizzorno.
A source said: “Noel taking on Tom is a big deal and it has got a lot of people talking.
“Liam is incredibly close pals with Serge, who openly dismissed his relationship with Tom after he assaulted Vicki.
“Some have said it feels like Noel’s decision to get Tom on board could be taken as a slight towards Liam.
“It’s not gone down well with a lot of fans but there are people out there who have forgiven Tom and want to move on.
“Noel would have known there would be a backlash but he’s clearly standing his ground.”
Former Oasis rocker Noel invited Serge to be his warm up at his gig at Audley End House on Friday – three days before he made the announcement last night.
Tom held his hands up and pleaded guilty to assault after being arrested in April 2020.
He went on to say the arrest was a turning point in his life and he issued a grovelling statement apologising for his behaviour towards Vicki Ager – who stood by him and married him last October.
I have a huge amount of respect for Noel and have interviewed him a number of times over the years and he has always been charming, astute and incredibly intelligent.
But I have to admit, I personally don’t think this was the smartest decision he could have made.
Noel has previously spoken about cutting off his own dad, who was physically abusive towards his mum Peggy.
In an interview in 2019 he poignantly said he believed there could be no reconciliation between them, adding: “He means nothing to me.”
I get that every situation is relative and that nothing is cut and dry – but on this one I am standing firm.