Noel Gallagher slammed for mocking wheelchair users at Glastonbury
Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher found himself in hot water over his comments about wheelchair users at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.
The musician, 55, performed at the popular music extravaganza on June 25, and stayed behind to watch others perform after his set, including British rapper Jamie T.
Speaking on “The Matt Morgan Podcast,” Gallagher said he was initially unable to get up close to the stage where the VIPs usually watch performances.
Instead, he and his friends watched from the tent’s disabled platform, admitting he didn’t initially realize the purpose of it.
After flashing his all-access pass, he told security, “This lot are with me, and we walked onto this platform – unbeknownst to us it was the disabled platform.”
The controversial performer went on, “I said, ‘See that pass mate? It gets me any-f–ing-where.”
Laughing, Gallagher said he would tip a disabled fan out of their wheelchair in order to get his son a better view.
“I gotta say, those disabled cats have a great view of everything,” he added.
His comments prompted mass fury from UK’s disability charity Scope, which slammed the musician on Twitter.
“Reports of Noel Gallagher’s behavior at Glastonbury were upsetting enough. But to hear him boast about his actions, and openly mock disabled people in the process, is beyond insulting,” the organization wrote.
“Noel may belittle the experience of disabled music fans. But for many, the reality of attending live music and festivals can be stressful and upsetting.
“Accessible platforms at events aren’t for privileged rock stars and their friends. They exist so that disabled people can enjoy live music with fewer barriers.”
“Noel may belittle the experience of disabled music fans. But for many, the reality of attending live music and festivals can be stressful and upsetting,” the charity added.
Noel’s brother Liam also slammed him over the remarks as he apologized on his behalf.
The Oasis frontman branded his brother — with whom he has long-standing beef — the “C word” in a note on social media.
Posting a series of pictures from his latest gig, Liam wrote in the comments section, “I’d like to apologize on behalf of my family about the little fellas recent remarks about people with disabilities SORRY were not all c–s LG x.”
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