In December Shaun Ryder’s Happy Mondays and long term backing singer Rowetta split, posting what sounded like suspiciously terse messages on social media.

Tensions have simmered over since, with Rowetta – who joined the Mondays in 1990 and became a cult figure – spoke about an incident in the year 2000 in which alleges Ryder punched her and knocked her out.

She tweeted “When I speak about Happy Mondays and it will always be true. I’m not a liar… Shaun Ryder punched me, knocked me out & there were lots of witnesses & my son had to see me with a black eye! Don’t call me a liar threatening with defamation! Should have called the cops!”

Ryder’s people responded “This matter is now in the hands of Shaun’s lawyers… He is shocked by Rowetta’s reported claims, but in the circumstances there will be no further comment.”

Roewtta has shot back on Insta:

“I never went to the police for either of the men who used me as a punchbag because I wanted to protect my children and I was frightened.
5 months in a refuge. Lost everything twice.

Now my children are in their 40s and cannot believe that he is denying it.
They took photos and there were plenty of witnesses on the ferry to Witnness.
I was just sticking up for Bez’s mate Shaky, who Shaun wanted to kick off the bus on the way to Holyhead.
Stop calling me a liar.
I have proof and witnesses and press cuttings.
Also emails to Neetsy during the tour.
I called your lawyer they won’t speak to me.
I am meeting my legal team after I sort out my mum for the day”