Richard Ashcroft has said it is unlikely that Liam Gallagher's Beady Eye will eclipse his former band Oasis.

In a recent interview, Gallagher claimed his new group had the potential to be bigger than the Manchester band.

“Oasis was a pop band compared to what we’re doing,” Gallagher told The Sunday Times.

But Ashcroft said he didn't believe “anyone” could match what Oasis did during the 1990s.

“Whether timing-wise, or culturally, anything is going to be as big as Oasis? I don’t think so. I don’t think anyone will,” he told XFM.

“Because of the nature of Oasis when they arrived, there was a big vacuum, everyone was scared of rock’n’roll.

“And Noel did it. Noel showed the way for a lot of people that there’s still some great songs to be written.”

However, Ashcroft added that he was still “really excited” to hear Beady Eye, as well as Noel Gallagher's forthcoming material.

The singer is currently promoting his new band, United Nations Of Sound, whose self-titled debut album was released on Monday.

(by Jason Gregory)