"When you come from Manchester, that was just the done thing and I’ve never had a problem with it. The only thing that is bad about drugs is that you drink more and it eventually messes you up.

"If there were gold medals for taking drugs for England then I’d have won a s**t load!"

Noel hits back over troop claims - Nov 2 2006
Noel Gallagher has denied blasting troops who claim compensation for injuries suffered on the front line.

In an interview with the Sun newspaper, the Oasis star was quoted as saying that Tony Blair’s decision to go to war was an "almighty cock-up" and telling soldiers wounded in Iraq to stop moaning.

The report led to veterans’ representative Ray Bristow accusing the singer of "abusing his privileged position" by making "silly comments".

But Noel has hit back with a statement saying that while he has criticised the war, there was "no way" he would accuse British troops of being out for compensation.

He said: "I have said in other interviews that the war in Iraq was a bloody cock-up. I stand by that and I do think that if you join the army you must expect to be shot at.

"But there is no way I’d accuse British troops of being moaners or out for compensation."


Noel ’ignorant’ for blasting troops - Nov 21 2006
Oasis star Noel Gallagher has been branded "ignorant" after he told soldiers wounded in Iraq to stop moaning.

Veterans representative Ray Bristow said the guitarist only had the freedom to make such comments thanks to the sacrifice of thousands who gave their lives.

Mr Bristow accused Gallagher of "abusing his privileged position" by making "silly comments".

In an interview with the Sun newspaper, the musician said Tony Blair’s decision to go to war was an "almighty cock-up" and also blasted troops who claim compensation for injuries suffered on the front line.

"The troops want to go, all they want to do is fight. They’re soldiers. They’re loving it, until they get shot - then they’re claiming compensation.

"If you’re bothered about getting shot - here’s a thing - don’t join the Army."

Mr Bristow, a trustee of the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association, said: "I think he’s an ignorant man - ignorant in the sense of not understanding."

The former soldier said that Gallagher was only able to make such comments "on the back of thousands of soldiers’ lives" laid down for their country.

He said: "He [Gallagher] is in a privileged position in society where he is able to have free speech and make comments like he has made.

"But what enables him to have that privileged position and have free speech has cost this nation thousands upon thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen and merchant seamen."

Liam and Noel are to launch a hotel chain - Aug 30, 2020
Oasis rockers Liam and Noel Gallagher are to launch a hotel chain in America. The rock ’n’ roll siblings are reportedly planning to use titles of their smash hits as room themes in hotels located across the US, including Miami, New York and West Hollywood.