Noel has always portrayed himself as the hard-as-nails tough guy of the family, once belittling Liam for being like an overexcitable "puppy dog" who wanted him to play with him - and he had refused a reunion even thousands of impatient fans were desperate for one - I still saw plenty of emotion etched on Noel's face.

When Oasis faced the loss of two founding members in 1999, Noel Gallagher found that one replacement had creatively raised the game for everyone in the band.