Pete Doherty shares risk of having toes amputated in health update
Pete Doherty has shared a health update, saying that he is at risk of having his toes amputated.
The Libertines frontman and soloist revealed last year that he had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and claimed he “was healthier when he was on heroin”. In late 2023, Doherty described himself as “a very sick man” and said “death’s lurking”.
The singer-songwriter is currently out on a European tour with The Libertines in support of their fourth and latest studio album, 2024’s ‘All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade’. Doherty’s struggles with type 2 diabetes have led to him performing while sitting on a chair – sparking concern from fans.
During a gig in Munich, Germany on February 8, Doherty told the audience (via The Sun): “I saw the doctor today and he said you need to stay off your feet as much as you can otherwise you’ll lose your toes.”
He had previously been seen walking with a stick and wearing slippers on socks on stage.
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.”
When opening up about his health issues in November 2023, Doherty said: “I’ve battered it, haven’t I? I’ve fucking caned it.
“[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 went on to say that he’d been advised by his doctors to implement changes to his lifestyle: “They told me a little while ago if you don’t change your diet then you’re gonna have diabetes and cholesterol problems… Death’s lurking, you know what I mean?”
Speaking to NME around the same time, Doherty explained that he was now 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.
Doherty told NME: “I’m off crack and heroin and on the path.” When asked if he had escaped that part of his life, he responded: “Yeah, luckily. It just wasn’t sustainable.”
He continued: “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.”
Around this time last year, Doherty opened up about how his “health improved” after he “gave up the main poisons”, adding: “Then you get told alcohol and cheese and sugar are just as bad and you were healthier when you were on heroin.”
He said: “Yeah, I am a bit of a glutton. It’s not a joke. I’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. And at the moment I’m lacking the discipline to tackle cholesterol.”
When talking to NME again last December, Doherty reflected on how far he had come since The Libertines’ early days in the ’00s. “I don’t think I ever dared to dream that I’d still be knocking about and making music,” he explained.
Doherty had previously told us how his drug-free, serene life in France had changed how he changed his approach to making music with The Libertines. “It’s just an everyday scrap, really. It’s proper toe-to-toe with the demons, but because I believe so much in Carl, Gary, John and this record, it’s a pleasure,” he said.
“I just want to do my bit, be as professional as I can, let people hear the songs, and then go and play them. All we want to do is write beautiful songs. That’s what we’ve always wanted to do, but we got distracted – mostly by ourselves.”
The Libertines are due to play a series of outdoor UK shows this summer at London’s Gunnersbury Park, Dreamland Margate, and 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 next month, before a run of ‘Felt Better Alive In Europe’ dates.
Speaking to NME about the spirit of the record recently, Doherty explained: “There can be something uplifting about resignation, but at the same time you’re not just sat at home moping and singing these things to yourself.
“You’re still going out there and singing them. I think there’s enough melancholy in this record to fill a good-sized jerry can. The idea is to splash it on the audience and see if it ignites or not.”
In other news, Doherty has announced a performance as part of this year’s Great Escape Festival in Brighton. He’s also teased that a Babyshambles reunion is “on the cards” for 2025.
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Tom Skinner
NME
