Toronto magazine with an Oasis cover story back in 1994

The band has had a rowdy past, but this tackle must have come as a surprise with their fighting days well back in the 90s. 

The band were mid-way through their headline set at the V Festival and performing the song Morning Glory when the man ran on from backstage andknocked Gallagher to the ground.

Security guards wrestled the intruder to the floor and dragged him away, with brother Liam in pursuit. The man, aged in his 30s, was later arrested.

The band dropped their instruments and left the stage but returned after a 15 minute break to resume their set, to cheers from the 25,000-strong audience.

Gallagher did not look any the worse for his ordeal and the band went on to play Don't Look Back In Anger, Wonderwall and a cover of the Beatles hit I Am The Walrus.

The singer and guitarist joked that the attack had added "a little excitement" to proceedings.

A festival spokesman described the incident as a "security breach", with the assailant somehow evading V security staff and the band's own minders. "Oasis understand sometimes these things happen," the spokesman said.

This is the second time Gallagher has been attacked during a show.

In 1994, a fan jumped on stage during a Newcastle gig and punched him in the face. The night ended in a riot. And in 1997, the band were forced to abandon a gig in Glasgow when guitarist Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs was hit by a bottle.