Noel Gallagher has decided to quit all overseas touring with Oasis, with immediate effect, but he intends to perform with the band for the scheduled UK dates later this year.

On the bands' official web site (www.oasisinet.com) a spokesman for the band said: "The tour will continue and the band have already found a replacement guitarist, Matt Deighton, who has recently performed with Paul Weller and Mother Earth. Matt and Gem Archer will share the guitar playing in the band. Unfortunately, working in the new guitarist will mean losing some of the French shows, but we're confident we'll hit the ground running with a great live show in Milan next Tuesday night, 30th May. All of the band's European and UK shows from Milan will go ahead as scheduled."

Noel is said to be sick of life on the road and brother Liam's excessive drinking. Now that Noel has quit, Liam Gallagher is the band leader. It is not yet clear how this will impact on the long term future of Oasis.