MAFS UK’s Leisha breaks protocol and shares secret scenes that didn’t air

EXCLUSIVE: Married at First Sight UK’s Leisha Lightbody reveals the moments with ‘husband’ Reiss Boyce that never made it to air sharing that he broke up with her just weeks after the pair filmed their final vows for the E4 dating show

Leisha Lightbody believes there’s still “unanswered questions” surrounding her split from Married at First Sight UK groom Reiss Boyce.

The couple broke up weeks after filming their emotional final vows where viewers saw Essex-based Reiss, 33 and the 31-year-old Scottish beauty choose to commit to continue their relationship outside of the experiment.

Their whirlwind romance, which was plagued with uncertainty during their time on the E4 reality show, saw Reiss concerned about “drama” in the marriage and Leisha not knowing how her husband really felt despite her declaring she loved him on their final date.

Reiss ended their relationship when he visited Leisha in Scotland before filming the dramatic Reunion show which aired last week but she’s not convinced he was ever emotionally available…

Speaking about her time on the show, Leisha admitted: “I went into it bit naive and it was quite hard watching it back but it’s actually made me heal a little bit quicker.

“When we left after final vows I genuinely thought that we were in this fairytale and thought we were going to watch it back and it was going to be a magical thing, but actually he didn’t like me as much as I thought.

“I honestly thought that he really did like me, and I’m not saying he didn’t, but obviously they picked up things that he said on camera that he didn’t necessarily say too much to me.”

Leisha and Reiss were paired by the show’s experts Paul C Brunson, Charlene Douglas and Mel Schilling and tied the knot at the altar after meeting for the first time on their wedding day.

However, the cracks in their relationship begun to show quite early on in their marriage but they both continued to stay in the experiment and were one of only five couples who made it to the final vows at the end of the series.

Leisha said: “He knew who I was from the minute he met me. I told him everything about me and I was a very open book with him and I told him my deepest, darkest secrets but I just couldn’t quite figure him out. The whole time we were there he could have left he didn’t have to stay.”

While some fans were left doubting their romance after what was shown on-screen, Leisha went on to lift the lid on what was really going on between her and Reiss when the cameras stopped rolling.

“We were very intimate every single night,” she said. “I just think when you’re intimate with people every single day and you’re spooning them and very tactile I think that’s kind of giving mixed messages because he was then saying ‘oh, I’m happy to be intimate with you but when you ask me for reassurance or to hold my hand, you’re too much’.

“I’m not a body, I’m a human being, I’ve got feelings, I’ve got emotions and I feel like there was just a lot of mixed emotions and I think looking back he probably just wasn’t emotionally available.

“Obviously what is put out on TV is a quarter of what actually happened. Me and Reece were always in the apartments together when everybody else would go out. We stayed in all cosied up, watching documentaries with our little snacks. We would be cuddled up and honestly we were so smitten, well, I definitely was smitten. I cooked for him every night.”

Things stared to change for Leisha after they left the experiment when his ex started liking her photos on social media despite the show not airing yet and therefore the public weren’t aware of who was starring on the current series.

She raised her concerns with Reiss and he reassured there was nothing going on between him and his ex but her nearest and dearest weren’t convinced.

“When we left the show everybody else could see it. My friends and family were like ‘do you really think this is it though?’ and I was like ‘yeah’ but I was so delusional, I was so blinded,” she said.

“Reiss then came up to Scotland and we went for a meal with my mum, my dad, my sister and my friends and they were all like ‘oh my God we actually think he likes you’ and ‘I can see it’s working now’ but then that night he split up with me.

“I just wish that he would have made that a little bit more clearer to me just so that I can protect myself because I think I was quite vulnerable and I think I was probably a bit naive,” she said during the emotional chat.

Leisha had to face Reiss just weeks after their split to film the MAFS UK reunion which she said was “a bit of a disaster” because she “was so emotional and drained”.

“I probably did go back thinking he was maybe going to look at me and maybe want to rekindle something I’m not going to lie to you that was going through my head but logistically I knew that it wasn’t ever going to happen,” she admitted.

“I’m completely over Reiss now but I think there’s a little part of me that’s still a bit upset over the way it ended and things have come out of the woodwork with him and his ex.

“I just feel like there’s lots of unanswered questions. I think he was probably just done before he finished it but I don’t think he was ever really in it.”

Article continues below

Leisha also added that she has no bad blood towards her ex but they no longer communicate and she’s at peace with the fact she may never know the truth. R

Reiss has since admitted he did get back with his ex after splitting with Leisha but they are no longer together.

MAFS UK’s Leisha breaks protocol and shares secret scenes that didn’t air

EXCLUSIVE: Married at First Sight UK’s Leisha Lightbody reveals the moments with ‘husband’ Reiss Boyce that never made it to air sharing that he broke up with her just weeks after the pair filmed their final vows for the E4 dating show

Leisha Lightbody believes there’s still “unanswered questions” surrounding her split from Married at First Sight UK groom Reiss Boyce.

The couple broke up weeks after filming their emotional final vows where viewers saw Essex-based Reiss, 33 and the 31-year-old Scottish beauty choose to commit to continue their relationship outside of the experiment.

Their whirlwind romance, which was plagued with uncertainty during their time on the E4 reality show, saw Reiss concerned about “drama” in the marriage and Leisha not knowing how her husband really felt despite her declaring she loved him on their final date.

Reiss ended their relationship when he visited Leisha in Scotland before filming the dramatic Reunion show which aired last week but she’s not convinced he was ever emotionally available…

Speaking about her time on the show, Leisha admitted: “I went into it bit naive and it was quite hard watching it back but it’s actually made me heal a little bit quicker.

“When we left after final vows I genuinely thought that we were in this fairytale and thought we were going to watch it back and it was going to be a magical thing, but actually he didn’t like me as much as I thought.

“I honestly thought that he really did like me, and I’m not saying he didn’t, but obviously they picked up things that he said on camera that he didn’t necessarily say too much to me.”

Leisha and Reiss were paired by the show’s experts Paul C Brunson, Charlene Douglas and Mel Schilling and tied the knot at the altar after meeting for the first time on their wedding day.

However, the cracks in their relationship begun to show quite early on in their marriage but they both continued to stay in the experiment and were one of only five couples who made it to the final vows at the end of the series.

Leisha said: “He knew who I was from the minute he met me. I told him everything about me and I was a very open book with him and I told him my deepest, darkest secrets but I just couldn’t quite figure him out. The whole time we were there he could have left he didn’t have to stay.”

While some fans were left doubting their romance after what was shown on-screen, Leisha went on to lift the lid on what was really going on between her and Reiss when the cameras stopped rolling.

“We were very intimate every single night,” she said. “I just think when you’re intimate with people every single day and you’re spooning them and very tactile I think that’s kind of giving mixed messages because he was then saying ‘oh, I’m happy to be intimate with you but when you ask me for reassurance or to hold my hand, you’re too much’.

“I’m not a body, I’m a human being, I’ve got feelings, I’ve got emotions and I feel like there was just a lot of mixed emotions and I think looking back he probably just wasn’t emotionally available.

“Obviously what is put out on TV is a quarter of what actually happened. Me and Reece were always in the apartments together when everybody else would go out. We stayed in all cosied up, watching documentaries with our little snacks. We would be cuddled up and honestly we were so smitten, well, I definitely was smitten. I cooked for him every night.”

Things stared to change for Leisha after they left the experiment when his ex started liking her photos on social media despite the show not airing yet and therefore the public weren’t aware of who was starring on the current series.

She raised her concerns with Reiss and he reassured there was nothing going on between him and his ex but her nearest and dearest weren’t convinced.

“When we left the show everybody else could see it. My friends and family were like ‘do you really think this is it though?’ and I was like ‘yeah’ but I was so delusional, I was so blinded,” she said.

“Reiss then came up to Scotland and we went for a meal with my mum, my dad, my sister and my friends and they were all like ‘oh my God we actually think he likes you’ and ‘I can see it’s working now’ but then that night he split up with me.

“I just wish that he would have made that a little bit more clearer to me just so that I can protect myself because I think I was quite vulnerable and I think I was probably a bit naive,” she said during the emotional chat.

Leisha had to face Reiss just weeks after their split to film the MAFS UK reunion which she said was “a bit of a disaster” because she “was so emotional and drained”.

“I probably did go back thinking he was maybe going to look at me and maybe want to rekindle something I’m not going to lie to you that was going through my head but logistically I knew that it wasn’t ever going to happen,” she admitted.

“I’m completely over Reiss now but I think there’s a little part of me that’s still a bit upset over the way it ended and things have come out of the woodwork with him and his ex.

“I just feel like there’s lots of unanswered questions. I think he was probably just done before he finished it but I don’t think he was ever really in it.”

Article continues below

Leisha also added that she has no bad blood towards her ex but they no longer communicate and she’s at peace with the fact she may never know the truth. R

Reiss has since admitted he did get back with his ex after splitting with Leisha but they are no longer together.

Mani from Stone Roses dead: Ambulance service issues statement as icon ‘found at home’

Rock icon Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, bassist for both the Stone Roses and Primal Scream, died at home aged 63, emergency services confirmed. North West Ambulance Service said paramedics were called to a home in Heaton Moor on Thursday morning.

“Emergency crews attended a private address at 10.42am,” said an ambulance service spokesperson. It is understood this was Mani’s address, and no patient was taken to hospital following the emergency call. Neighbours reported seeing an ambulance outside the home. No cause of death has yet been given.

Tributes have poured in from stars following the star’s unexpected death. He had been planning a conversation tour next year running into 2027 with Mani admitting that he was “getting too old now.”






Mani performs in London in 2013
(
Getty Images)

Last Thursday, he had revealed a 69-date schedule from late 2026 and early 2027. The tour was titled: The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, and Me – An Intimate Evening with Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield.

On Facebook, Mani wrote: “I think @mm embarking on what could be my final road trip….. Getting too old now…. Anyway, there’s a lot to go at…. Anybody wanting to hear slaggings off of bandmates … or titbits of dirt, conjecture & gossip…. I’m not that guy… I will be giving my skewed vision of my own life, I never did, and would never rat on my comrades… hope you come out and say hello.”






Mani at boxer Ricky Hatton's funeral last month


Mani at boxer Ricky Hatton’s funeral last month
(
Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)

Ever since their first album, Mani’s basslines were core to the Stone Roses’ sound. The song “I Wanna Be Adored” opened their 1989 debut album The Stone Roses and it is Mani’s bassline that crashed through the slow-burn intro to make it one of the most iconic album openings in British rock.

Paying tribute to his music, record shop Rough Trade posted: “The perfect example of how a bassist can be the beating heart of a band.”

The Stone Roses’ famous gig in 1990 at Spike Island inspired a generation of British musicians including the teenage Liam Gallagher.






Mani (right) with Ian Brown (left) perform on stage at Wembley Stadaium, London on June 17, 2017


Mani (right) with Ian Brown (left) perform on stage at Wembley Stadaium, London on June 17, 2017
(
NurPhoto via Getty Images)

In one of his final interviews just last month, he revealed he was itching to get back on stage. Speaking in mid-October, Mani had said he had recently been to his lock-up and looked at his bass guitars and was being encouraged by other musicians to pick it up again.

His beloved wife Imelda, who died nearly two years to the day on November 18, 2023. She had been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in November 2020 and died at the age of just 52.

The married couple shared their twin boys, Gene and George 12, who were born in January 2013. Imelda spoke about her illness to ITV Granada Reports in October 2022. She said: “The tumour in my bowel had spread to my liver. It was a massive shock, because I wasn’t really poorly.

“Then I had some emergency surgery, and I responded quite well to chemo, so I’ve been on quite a big journey over the past two years.”

Mani from Stone Roses dead: Ambulance service issues statement as icon ‘found at home’

Rock icon Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, bassist for both the Stone Roses and Primal Scream, died at home aged 63, emergency services confirmed. North West Ambulance Service said paramedics were called to a home in Heaton Moor on Thursday morning.

“Emergency crews attended a private address at 10.42am,” said an ambulance service spokesperson. It is understood this was Mani’s address, and no patient was taken to hospital following the emergency call. Neighbours reported seeing an ambulance outside the home. No cause of death has yet been given.

Tributes have poured in from stars following the star’s unexpected death. He had been planning a conversation tour next year running into 2027 with Mani admitting that he was “getting too old now.”






Mani performs in London in 2013
(
Getty Images)

Last Thursday, he had revealed a 69-date schedule from late 2026 and early 2027. The tour was titled: The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, and Me – An Intimate Evening with Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield.

On Facebook, Mani wrote: “I think @mm embarking on what could be my final road trip….. Getting too old now…. Anyway, there’s a lot to go at…. Anybody wanting to hear slaggings off of bandmates … or titbits of dirt, conjecture & gossip…. I’m not that guy… I will be giving my skewed vision of my own life, I never did, and would never rat on my comrades… hope you come out and say hello.”






Mani at boxer Ricky Hatton's funeral last month


Mani at boxer Ricky Hatton’s funeral last month
(
Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)

Ever since their first album, Mani’s basslines were core to the Stone Roses’ sound. The song “I Wanna Be Adored” opened their 1989 debut album The Stone Roses and it is Mani’s bassline that crashed through the slow-burn intro to make it one of the most iconic album openings in British rock.

Paying tribute to his music, record shop Rough Trade posted: “The perfect example of how a bassist can be the beating heart of a band.”

The Stone Roses’ famous gig in 1990 at Spike Island inspired a generation of British musicians including the teenage Liam Gallagher.






Mani (right) with Ian Brown (left) perform on stage at Wembley Stadaium, London on June 17, 2017


Mani (right) with Ian Brown (left) perform on stage at Wembley Stadaium, London on June 17, 2017
(
NurPhoto via Getty Images)

In one of his final interviews just last month, he revealed he was itching to get back on stage. Speaking in mid-October, Mani had said he had recently been to his lock-up and looked at his bass guitars and was being encouraged by other musicians to pick it up again.

His beloved wife Imelda, who died nearly two years to the day on November 18, 2023. She had been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in November 2020 and died at the age of just 52.

The married couple shared their twin boys, Gene and George 12, who were born in January 2013. Imelda spoke about her illness to ITV Granada Reports in October 2022. She said: “The tumour in my bowel had spread to my liver. It was a massive shock, because I wasn’t really poorly.

“Then I had some emergency surgery, and I responded quite well to chemo, so I’ve been on quite a big journey over the past two years.”

Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield obituary – Stone Roses and Primal Scream icon dies aged 63

Stone Roses legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield has tragically died aged 63, here, we take a look back at his career and his life as fellow stars pay tribute

The music world is in mourning after Stone Roses’ legendary bass player Gary Mani Mountfield died suddenly. The founding member the Stone Roses, who also played in Primal Scream, died aged 63.

His music has inspired millions, including the likes of Liam and Noel Gallagher, to form a band, and Mani had spoken just last month about his plans to get back into music after some time off stage.

His death also comes just two years after his wife Imelda died from Cancer. Mani’s brother Greg Mounfield posted the news on Facebook saying: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother.”His nephew also posted the news and said he would be “ reunited in heaven with his lovely wife Imelda”.

READ MORE: Stone Roses’ Mani was ‘itching’ to get back on stage just weeks before his deathREAD MORE: Stone Roses’ Mani dies nearly two years to the day after wife Imelda

North West Ambulance Service confirmed that paramedics were called to a home in Heaton Moor on Thursday morning. “Emergency crews attended a private address at 10.42am,” said an ambulance service spokesperson. It is understood this was Mani’s address, and no patient was taken to hospital following the emergency call.

Paying tribute Roses bandmate Ian Brown posted on X: “Rest in peace Mani x.” Whilst Oasis frontman Liam, on tour with the band in South America said: “In total shock and absolutely devastated on hearing the news about Mani. My hero RIP RKid. LG.”

Former Happy Mondays singer Rowetta said: “Back with your Imelda, Mani. Going to miss you so much. All my love to the boys, the family & all those who knew & loved him.”

Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder posted: “RIP Mani – my heartfelt condolences to his twin boys and all of his family.” Ian McCulloch from Echo and the Bunnymen said: “I’m absolutely gutted to hear the news about Mani, who I have always loved and always will love, deeply and forever. Like a brother.

“I am in shock to be honest. Please tell me I’m just having a bad, bad dream. My thoughts and feelings and Manilove to all of his family from me.” Journalist, musician and friend John Robb simply added: “RIP Mani – the soul of the Stone Roses.” As tributes continued to come in, fellow bass player formerly with New Order and Joy Division, Peter Hook said: “Oh God. Mani… words just fail me this time, they really do. I cannot believe it. Sending all my love to his family. This is so sad. RIP mate. Love Hooky. X”

And Manchester United said on X: “A Manchester music icon and a passionate, lifelong Red. Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield.” Earlier this week in an emotional tribute posted to Facebook on Monday, the Stone Roses and Primal Scream star shared five pictures of his late wife and wrote: “Today marks the second anniversary of my Imelda’s passing… we miss her every day.

“But we have learnt to adapt to her being in ‘the next room’.… we cant see or touch you, but we feel your presence every day… rest well my love.” Just last week, Mani had announced plans for an extensive speaking tour of the UK, beginning next September 2026 in which he would look back on pivotal career moments such as the Stone Roses’ 1990 Spike Island gig and their comeback tour in 2011.

In an interview last month he told the Rockonteurs podcast: “I’m in a great space at the moment. Itching to get back bro. I’m ready to get back.” He added: “Johnny Marr’s always trying to get me to do stuff. Liam (Gallagher) was always trying to get me involved with stuff before the Oasis thing.

“I’m feeling now that I could pick up again, you know?. I’ve been in the lock up having a look at stuff and weeding out my collection.” Sadly fans never got to hear him play live again.

Mani was born in November 1962 in Crumpsall an outer suburb of Manchester and he attended Xaverian College in Rusholme before leaving school at the age 16. Mani then formed the band the Fireside Chaps with John Squire and Andy Couzens in Greater Manchester in the early 80s.

After several name and lineup changes, including taking on Ian Brown as frontman, the band became the Stone Roses and played their first official gig in October 1984. Mani was then part of The Stone Roses’ classic line-up alongside singer Brown, guitarist John Squire and drummer Alan ‘Reni’ Wren.

He worked on the Manchester band’s iconic 1989 self-titled debut album, which featured hits such as I Wanna Be Adored, She Bangs The Drums, and I Am The Resurrection, which is underpinned by Mani’s own prowling bassline. Years later, this was followed by its harder-rocking 1994 follow-up, Second Coming.

Speaking last month, he admitted bass was not the first instrument he picked up. He said: “I came late to the bass guitar. I was a rhythm guitar player for years, and when the option arose to get on the bass, I jumped on it. And my musical tastes have always been from reggae and funk and soul, and even going back to like, Chris Hillman, I love from The Byrds, is one of my favourites.

Asked about his choice of bass guitar, he said: “Well, I just love Rickenbacker basses, because I’m a real fan of 60s stuff. And The Byrds, the bands from that era, them and Hendrix and The Who and The Kinks. I love all that.”

After The Stone Roses broke up in 1996, citing musical differences, Mani joined Scottish rock band Primal Scream, and remained with them for 15 years. He played on their album Vanishing Point, released a year later, where his bass playing was a key part of lead single Kowalski. He would then go on to record four more albums with the band before leaving the band in 2011 to reform The Stone Roses.

Greeted with shock and delight by millions, the reunion tour took the Roses around the world that year, which ran until 2013, and later recorded the comeback singles All For One and Beautiful Thing in 2016.

The band then played a number of UK gigs in 2016 and 2017, including concerts at Manchester’s Heaton Park, Wembley Stadium and Glasgow’s Hampden Park, which would end up being the classic line-up’s last concert with Brown telling the crowd: “Don’t be sad that it’s over, be happy that it happened.”

Article continues below

Mani married his late wife Imelda after the two met during the 13-month recording of Second Coming at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, and they had two twin sons together born in 2013. Away from music, the Manchester-born star was a keen fan of Manchester United, and often spoke about the team on TV and radio.

This Summer he had attended four of the Oasis live gigs, including one with John Squire and was good friends with the Gallagher brothers. They are expected to now pay tribute to Mani in their final shows of their world tour in Brazil this weekend.

Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield obituary – Stone Roses and Primal Scream icon dies aged 63

Stone Roses legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield has tragically died aged 63, here, we take a look back at his career and his life as fellow stars pay tribute

The music world is in mourning after Stone Roses’ legendary bass player Gary Mani Mountfield died suddenly. The founding member the Stone Roses, who also played in Primal Scream, died aged 63.

His music has inspired millions, including the likes of Liam and Noel Gallagher, to form a band, and Mani had spoken just last month about his plans to get back into music after some time off stage.

His death also comes just two years after his wife Imelda died from Cancer. Mani’s brother Greg Mounfield posted the news on Facebook saying: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother.”His nephew also posted the news and said he would be “ reunited in heaven with his lovely wife Imelda”.

READ MORE: Stone Roses’ Mani was ‘itching’ to get back on stage just weeks before his deathREAD MORE: Stone Roses’ Mani dies nearly two years to the day after wife Imelda

North West Ambulance Service confirmed that paramedics were called to a home in Heaton Moor on Thursday morning. “Emergency crews attended a private address at 10.42am,” said an ambulance service spokesperson. It is understood this was Mani’s address, and no patient was taken to hospital following the emergency call.

Paying tribute Roses bandmate Ian Brown posted on X: “Rest in peace Mani x.” Whilst Oasis frontman Liam, on tour with the band in South America said: “In total shock and absolutely devastated on hearing the news about Mani. My hero RIP RKid. LG.”

Former Happy Mondays singer Rowetta said: “Back with your Imelda, Mani. Going to miss you so much. All my love to the boys, the family & all those who knew & loved him.”

Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder posted: “RIP Mani – my heartfelt condolences to his twin boys and all of his family.” Ian McCulloch from Echo and the Bunnymen said: “I’m absolutely gutted to hear the news about Mani, who I have always loved and always will love, deeply and forever. Like a brother.

“I am in shock to be honest. Please tell me I’m just having a bad, bad dream. My thoughts and feelings and Manilove to all of his family from me.” Journalist, musician and friend John Robb simply added: “RIP Mani – the soul of the Stone Roses.” As tributes continued to come in, fellow bass player formerly with New Order and Joy Division, Peter Hook said: “Oh God. Mani… words just fail me this time, they really do. I cannot believe it. Sending all my love to his family. This is so sad. RIP mate. Love Hooky. X”

And Manchester United said on X: “A Manchester music icon and a passionate, lifelong Red. Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield.” Earlier this week in an emotional tribute posted to Facebook on Monday, the Stone Roses and Primal Scream star shared five pictures of his late wife and wrote: “Today marks the second anniversary of my Imelda’s passing… we miss her every day.

“But we have learnt to adapt to her being in ‘the next room’.… we cant see or touch you, but we feel your presence every day… rest well my love.” Just last week, Mani had announced plans for an extensive speaking tour of the UK, beginning next September 2026 in which he would look back on pivotal career moments such as the Stone Roses’ 1990 Spike Island gig and their comeback tour in 2011.

In an interview last month he told the Rockonteurs podcast: “I’m in a great space at the moment. Itching to get back bro. I’m ready to get back.” He added: “Johnny Marr’s always trying to get me to do stuff. Liam (Gallagher) was always trying to get me involved with stuff before the Oasis thing.

“I’m feeling now that I could pick up again, you know?. I’ve been in the lock up having a look at stuff and weeding out my collection.” Sadly fans never got to hear him play live again.

Mani was born in November 1962 in Crumpsall an outer suburb of Manchester and he attended Xaverian College in Rusholme before leaving school at the age 16. Mani then formed the band the Fireside Chaps with John Squire and Andy Couzens in Greater Manchester in the early 80s.

After several name and lineup changes, including taking on Ian Brown as frontman, the band became the Stone Roses and played their first official gig in October 1984. Mani was then part of The Stone Roses’ classic line-up alongside singer Brown, guitarist John Squire and drummer Alan ‘Reni’ Wren.

He worked on the Manchester band’s iconic 1989 self-titled debut album, which featured hits such as I Wanna Be Adored, She Bangs The Drums, and I Am The Resurrection, which is underpinned by Mani’s own prowling bassline. Years later, this was followed by its harder-rocking 1994 follow-up, Second Coming.

Speaking last month, he admitted bass was not the first instrument he picked up. He said: “I came late to the bass guitar. I was a rhythm guitar player for years, and when the option arose to get on the bass, I jumped on it. And my musical tastes have always been from reggae and funk and soul, and even going back to like, Chris Hillman, I love from The Byrds, is one of my favourites.

Asked about his choice of bass guitar, he said: “Well, I just love Rickenbacker basses, because I’m a real fan of 60s stuff. And The Byrds, the bands from that era, them and Hendrix and The Who and The Kinks. I love all that.”

After The Stone Roses broke up in 1996, citing musical differences, Mani joined Scottish rock band Primal Scream, and remained with them for 15 years. He played on their album Vanishing Point, released a year later, where his bass playing was a key part of lead single Kowalski. He would then go on to record four more albums with the band before leaving the band in 2011 to reform The Stone Roses.

Greeted with shock and delight by millions, the reunion tour took the Roses around the world that year, which ran until 2013, and later recorded the comeback singles All For One and Beautiful Thing in 2016.

The band then played a number of UK gigs in 2016 and 2017, including concerts at Manchester’s Heaton Park, Wembley Stadium and Glasgow’s Hampden Park, which would end up being the classic line-up’s last concert with Brown telling the crowd: “Don’t be sad that it’s over, be happy that it happened.”

Article continues below

Mani married his late wife Imelda after the two met during the 13-month recording of Second Coming at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, and they had two twin sons together born in 2013. Away from music, the Manchester-born star was a keen fan of Manchester United, and often spoke about the team on TV and radio.

This Summer he had attended four of the Oasis live gigs, including one with John Squire and was good friends with the Gallagher brothers. They are expected to now pay tribute to Mani in their final shows of their world tour in Brazil this weekend.