Rock band Oasis turned away from Darwen hotel

They think the Manchester band, whose hits include Wonderwall and Don’t Look Back In Anger, turned up at the Whitehall Hotel in Park Road.

Noel Gallagher announced his decision to quit the band on Friday, but staff believe before the break-up he, brother Liam and other members Andy Bell and Gem Archer were caught on CCTV footage asking a waitress for the bar and restaurant to be opened.

Manager Nick Parker said: “The group apparently walked into reception and were seen by one of the young waitresses who didn’t know who they were.

“They asked if the restaurant was open and she said ‘no’ because we were having a wedding on, so they asked if the bar was open, and she said ‘no’ for the same reason.

“Then they asked if the bar could be opened, so she came and asked me.

"She said there were four lads in reception asking for the bar to be opened, so I told her I would sort it out.

“By the time I got down there, someone who looked like Liam was coming out of the toilet and the others were getting into a limo-type van parked outside.

“I followed him out and said to them all that I would open the bar for them, but they didn’t answer me and drove off.”

Mr Parker said visit was 1.30pm on Saturday, August 22. That evening the band played at the V festival in Staffordshire.

During filming for the British Youth Film Academy summer project, which this year is based at the Darwen Aldridge Community Academy, several TV celebrities were also staying at the hotel last week.

They included Norman Lovett, best known for the role of Holly in Red Dwarf, Chris Ellison, who was DCI Frank Burnside in the The Bill, and former EastEnders star Carol Harrison.

Owner of the hotel, Neil Bullows, said: “It’s great that the Whitehall is attracting people like this.

“We’ve also had the Elvis impersonator Shawn Klush, who is touring northern England. He could have stayed anywhere, but he’s chosen Darwen.”

Oasis could not be contacted to comment.