Noel Gallagher’s decision to quit Oasis came after a fight with Liam which saw the singer smash his brother’s guitar, according to reports.

The altercation is said to have happened before Oasis’ scheduled performance at the Rock en Seine festival in France on August 28.

According to the Sun newspaper, an argument between the pair “got totally out of hand very quickly”.

In the scuffle that followed, Liam is reported to have smashed one of his brother’s guitars.

Singer Amy MacDonald, who was also performing at the festival, wrote on her Twitter page: “Oasis cancelled again with one minute to stage time!!!

“Liam smashed Noel’s guitar, huuuge fight!”

She later added: “Was told by promoter about guitar smashing incident. I wasn’t there before you get carried away.”

Noel formally announced his departure in a statement on Oasis’ official website last night.

His shock decision came less than a week after the band scrapped their second headline slot at the V Festival.

The Gallagher brothers have endured a fractious relationship since Oasis formed in Manchester in 1991.

But, despite their differences, neither Brother has ever formally announced their departure.

(by Jason Gregory)