Fans had been left disappointed, and brother Liam Gallagher branded the former Oasis star a “sad f***” for missing this gig, organised by Manchester attack victims by Ariana Grande.
However, a source close to Noel, 50, claims he was never even asked to perform by either Chris Martin or Ariana’s manager Scooter Braun.
The insider said: “Noel has been getting a real bashing for not being at the gig, which is totally out of order.
“He’s been hugely supportive of the cause but hasn’t gone public as, in his mind, it’s not about him.”
They continued: “The fact he wasn’t asked to even perform at any point by any of the organisers makes a mockery of Liam’s claims.”