The eagerly anticipated Pete(r) Doherty concert scheduled for Tuesday 13th of October, in Mandela Hall, sadly ended before it began yesterday, due to a health scare for the current Babyshambles and former Libertines front man.

BY GAVIN BRADLEY

The talented and troubled singer-songwriter was due to play a full Irish tour to further promote his first full venture as a solo artist: Grace/ Wastelands, the album released earlier this year to general acclaim from both critics and dedicated Doherty fans. However, all shows, including those in The Academy, Dublin (14), and the Roisin Dubh, Galway (15), had to be postponed until further notice as the 30 year old was admitted to a hospital in Swindon on Monday night for “exhaustion and breathing difficulties” according to a spokesperson. Although the man known as ‘Bilo’ is no stranger to missed and cancelled gigs, the news still comes as a shock to a loyal fan base who have seen a more responsible and reliable Doherty emerge during the long summer of touring, with the singer dutifully playing the outdoor festival circuit as well as a number of intimate gigs in London and Paris. The enigmatic figure, whose drug problem is well documented across the tabloids, is known to be undergoing treatment to clean up an addiction which has become an unwelcome sideshow to his musical projects since the demise of The Libertines, and speculation has already arisen as to the physical toll it has taken on him. Fans who had booked their places via ticket master were notified by E-mail on Tuesday evening that the shows would be re-scheduled for early 2010, although ticket information is still to be clarified. One thing is for sure though: it will be some time before the ‘Man Who Would Be King’ is back on top again and until then, the disappointed fans can console themselves with a promising debut solo album and the promise of a possible Libertines reunion next year.