That either of us have ever questioned the fitness of the other to be a parent is totally untrue and deeply offensive to both of us

Noel Gallagher and Meg Mathews

"We have very regrettably, after much thought and discussion, decided to separate for the time being," they said.

"We would like to repeat that this is all that has been decided at this time.

"We wish to make it clear that we have made no final arrangements regarding our relationship, nor did we ever sign a pre-nuptial agreement."

The couple added: "That either of us have ever questioned the fitness of the other to be a parent is totally untrue and deeply offensive to both of us."

Earlier this week, Noel, 33, and Meg, 34, said they had "drifted apart". They had been together for six years, and married for three.

'Too much madness'

The couple had moved from their home in Belsize Park, north London - famously known as Supernova Heights - to Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, to escape the celebrity party circuit which Noel has drifted away from recently.

His spokeswoman said on Tuesday: "Noel gave up drugs because there was too much madness in his life. He wanted to get out of London to get away from that kind of life."

But those parties were Meg's livelihood, as she runs a company organising them.

Noel's younger brother Liam, the lead singer of Oasis, split up with actress Patsy Kensit earlier this year.

Speaking from her home in Burnage, Greater Manchester, their mother Peggy said she was "very upset" at the news of Noel's break-up.