Pete Doherty shares health update, now wears orthopaedic shoes: “It’s been hurtful – people can be so cruel”
Pete Doherty has shared a new health update and reflected on the “hurtful” comments people have made about him.
The Libertines frontman and soloist made the comments during a new appearance on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, where he shared a new update on his health and said that he is now wearing orthopaedic shoes.
It comes after the artist revealed last month that he is at risk of having his toes amputated due to his ongoing health conditions. This is because of his type 2 diabetes, which he was diagnosed with last year, and led to him claiming that he “was healthier when he was on heroin”.
Last month he told fans in Munich that doctors advised him to stay off his feet “as much as he can” to avoid having any amputations. He had previously been seen walking with a stick and wearing slippers on socks on stage.
Now, on the new radio appearance, he told Toby Tarrant – who is stepping in for Moyles as host – that he hasn’t lost any of his toes in the time since then. “They’re still there, and they’re on the mend. But I’ve just got to wear these,” he said, showing that he was wearing orthopaedic shoes.
He also said that he tries to bring the topic up early in the conversation to avoid people making cruel comments or poking fun at him.
“I’ve just got to get it out the way first before you get any jokes in,” he said. “Because it’s been hard, it’s been hurtful, walking around the streets of London in these, do you know what I mean? People can be so cruel.”
Explaining how the health condition can lead to amputations, Diabetes UK said: “Over time raised blood sugar levels can damage the vessels that supply the nerves in your feet. This stops nutrients reaching the nerves. You can lose feeling – peripheral neuropathy – and damage feet without noticing.
“Blood supply to the feet is also reduced. Cuts and sores may struggle to heal. You may get cramps and pain. Left untreated, these problems can lead to foot ulcers, infections and, at worst, amputations.”
Doherty has been open about his health battles over the years. Back in November 2023 he described himself as “a very sick man” and said “death’s lurking”. “[The] heroin and the crack… I surrendered to that. Then it was cocaine and the smoking and the alcohol, and now it’s cheese and the saucisson, and the sugar in the tea… it’s all gotta go,” he said at the time.
Speaking to NME around the same time, Doherty explained that he was living a “cleaner” and “sober-er” lifestyle compared to his earlier years. He was being interviewed to promote his documentary Stranger In My Own Skin, which lays bare his struggles with addiction.
“I’m off crack and heroin and on the path,” he said. When asked if he had escaped that part of his life, he responded: “Yeah, luckily. It just wasn’t sustainable. There comes a point when the body just can’t keep up with that level of abuse.
“There’s lots of debate about the other effects of the drug but the physical effects alone are just not sustainable really. It becomes a Russian roulette.”
You can find the new interview on The Chris Moyles Show in full here.
As for the future for Doherty, later this summer The Libertines are due to play a series of outdoor UK shows at London’s Gunnersbury Park, Dreamland Margate and at The Piece Hall in Halifax. Find any remaining tickets here.
Meanwhile, Doherty will release a new solo album called ‘Felt Better Alive’ on May 16 (pre-order/pre-save here). He is scheduled to embark on his intimate ‘Anywhere In Albion’ UK tour before a run of ‘Felt Better Alive In Europe’ dates.
As for his other plans, the indie icon also recently announced a performance as part of this year’s Great Escape Festival in Brighton. He also teased that a Babyshambles reunion is “on the cards” for 2025.
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Liberty Dunworth
NME
