Shaun Ryder was forced to miss Gary 'Mani' Mounfield's funeral because he was struck down with a bout of pneumonia.
The Stone Roses rocker died at his home in Stockport on November 20 aged 63 and he was remembered at a star-studded memorial service in Manchester on December 22 attended by stars including Oasis rocker Liam Gallagher, Paul Weller and Sir David Beckham - but Shaun wasn't able to attend the send-off for his pal because he wasn't well after finishing a tour days earlier.
During an appearance on BBC Breakfast, Shaun explained: "I got back [from the tour] the day before Mani’s funeral and collapsed, and so I couldn’t even go.
"In the end I got antibiotics ... that sorted me out. I’ve only been out of bed, what, four days?"
Shaun appeared on the show alongside his Happy Mondays bandmate Bez, who was among those able to attend the funeral.
Oasis star Liam served as a pallbearer at the service at Manchester Cathedral and was seen carrying the Stone Roses star's coffin, which was decorated with the Bye Bye Badman artwork by John Squire which featured on the band's eponymous 1993 debut album, along with Squire and the band's drummer Alan 'Reni' Wren.
Mani's Stone Roses bandmate Ian Brown was along those who offered tributes during the service, with the musician telling the congregation: "Mani was like a brother to me , a musical comrade. Beautiful soul and spirit.
"Mani was able to laugh his way through any darkness. He was the life and soul of any room he was in."
Also among the mourners were Peter Hook, Happy Mondays star Bez, The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce as well as former Manchester United footballer Gary Neville, Elbow frontman Guy Garvey and politician Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.
The coffin - which was adorned with floral tributes spelling out Mani and R Kid - was taken in a procession through the streets of Manchester before the service at the cathedral.
The star-studded funeral was then followed a private committal for Mani's closest friends and family.
Mani's death came two years after he lost his wife Imelda Mounfield, who died in November 2020 after a battle with bowel cancer.
