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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Delaney

Noel Gallagher in dig at monarchy as he pays tribute to ‘real royal family’ with iconic tune

Noel Gallagher seemingly paid tribute to the ‘real Royal Family’ before playing an intimate homecoming gig on Thursday night.

The Oasis rocker, 55, took to the stage in Manchester at the Football For Change gala dinner at Old Trafford Cricket Ground and wowed the star-studded audience that included celebrities such as Coleen Rooney and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.

As he performed one of his iconic songs alongside his band, Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds, the legendary singer asked the crowd: "Is anyone here from Manchester?"

He went on to state: "This is for the real royal family", before going on to belt out the hit Oasis single, Half the World Away.

The classic tune acted as the soundtrack to the BBC comedy, The Royle Family, which ran from 1998 - 2012.

Coleen - without hubby Wayne Rooney who was with DC United stateside - seemed to be enjoying her night as she took to the dance floor during Noel's set.

Football For Change was launched by Jamie Carragher, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady and Dominic Calvert-Lewin last year and has since been backed by sports stars, including Gary Neville, Jude Bellingham, Steven Gerrard, Anthony Gordon, Lucas Moura, Peter Crouch and Alan Shearer.

During a gala dinner at Liverpool's Titanic Hotel last year, Sir Rod Stewart surprised guests with an impromptu performance as they went on to raise £250,000 in vital funds for the good cause.

Noel paid tribute to the Royle Family (BBC)

The charity, which works in partnership with the Communities Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside, recently sent more than 40 disadvantaged young people to Dallas for a life-changing educational and sporting retreat with funds raised to date.

Since launching in November last year, Football For Change has raised over £350,000 and aimed to double that amount thanks to the gala in Manchester on Thursday.

Noel headlined the performances with his High Flying Birds band, after Spice Girl Melanie C had also treated the star-studded audience to a sensational set. The event was hosted by This Morning presenter Vernon Kay and there was a live auction which included exclusive money-can't-buy lots donated by David Beckham, Formula 1, Robbie Williams, Calvin Harris, BT Sport and many more.

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