Pete Doherty shows off his incredible weight loss - after receiving shock 'wake-up call' from health scare despite getting clean in 2019
Pete Doherty looked healthier than ever as he showed off his slim build while playing an arcade game after revealing he was at risk of having his toes amputated earlier this year.
The 46-year-old rocker, who dated Kate Moss for two years, has spent nearly the entirety of his adult life in the spotlight after shooting to stardom with The Libertines in the 2000s.
But much of his chart-topping success has been overshadowed by turmoil - including crack and heroine addictions which even landed him behind bars for a brief period.
After moving to France with wife Katia de Vidas in 2012, Pete revealed he took up another unhealthy habit - a cheese and wine diet which left him in 'worse health' than he was before.
He candidly admitted in a 2023 interview with Louis Theroux that 'death's lurking' and more recently opened up about his struggles since being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
During a gig in Munich this year, Pete shocked supporters by revealing doctors told him 'he could lose his toes' if he's not careful.
A post by his wife Katia on Thursday however, seems to suggest Pete may finally have put his health first.
Taking to her Instagram Stories, Katia, who tied the knot with the singer in 2021, shared a video of The Libertines front man looking in the best shape he has in years while enjoying a guitar game in an arcade.
Sporting a pair of smart brown shoes, some grey jeans and a plain black T-shirt, Pete seemed healthy as he showed off his skills on the instrument while wearing a characteristically quirky hat.
After being given the 'wake-up call' by doctors in March, the video will likely come as a promising sign to Pete's supporters.
The rocker went for a check up after noticing sores on his feet had turned black in January.
'It was touch and go,' he told The Times of whether or not he would be able to keep his feet, having lost feeling in them.
Those who suffer from diabetes carry the risk of foot-related complications as high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, in turn effecting the flow of blood to feet and legs.
'Now I allow myself a gin and tonic once a week, but I've basically not been drinking and have got my blood sugar to a good level, so my toes are healing,' he added.
Pete was pictured wearing normal shoes for the first time in months at The Great Escape Festival last week, where he opened up about his family life.
As well as welcoming his new daughter Billy Mae with his wife in 2023, Pete is father to son Astile, 21, with singer Lisa Moorish and daughter Aisling, 14, with South African model Lindi Hingston.
Speaking to Rob Beckett about bringing his youngest on tour, Pete revealed: 'If she didn't feel comfortable, if she wasn't happy, I just wouldn't be able to do it because I don't I want to not be with her. I've missed opportunities in the past to to be a father and I... I don't want to miss this one, you know, I mean.'
He was then asked about Aisling, to which he replied: 'Yeah, I don't... I don't see her at all.'
Pete continued: 'But I have an older son. He's 21 now. And we are... we probably speak and see each other more now than we ever have.
'And even then it's not that much, but it's... he's met Billy May as well.
On the same year Billy May was born, Pete worried supporters after telling Louis Theroux that 'death's lurking' due to the toll that years of drugs and alcohol abuse had on his body.
He told Theroux: 'You are looking at a very sick man. I've battered it haven't I, I've f*****g caned it.
'The heroin and the crack, I surrendered to that and then it was cocaine and the smoking and the alcohol, and now it's cheese and the saucisson and the sugar in the tea.'
In another interview, this time with The Evening Standard, he revealed he had been told to change his diet immediately.
'I have seen a liver doctor who says I need to change my diet - too much cheese, too much milk.
'But the cheese is so good, that's part of the reason I stay here... it's a cholesterol and diabetes thing now, but there are tablets, it makes a big difference.'
The rockstar had previously admitted that he put on weight after over-indulging in his guilty pleasure.
In 2021, Pete said he had ditched drugs and was instead indulging on cheese on toast and enjoying long lie ins after staying up for six days straight during his wildest years.
Doherty's childhood was spent in various places across Britain including Dorset and Warwickshire, before forming the Libertines with co-frontman Carl Barat in London.
Their debut album Up The Bracket peaked at 35 in the UK album charts in 2002 but the band's self-titled follow-up hit number one two years later, featuring singles such as Can't Stand Me Now and What Became Of The Likely Lads.
Their success was affected by Pete's wild antics away from the studio however, with the rocker handed a six-month jail term, reduced to two, in 2003 after breaking into his co-frontman's home and stealing items including a guitar and laptop.
Doherty was later given a 14-week prison sentence in April 2008 for breaching a probation order following previous drug and driving offences.
He took heroin for the first time in 2002 when just 23, yet the addiction didn't fully take hold until he found himself sweating and sick after a journey to Japan.
Doherty has since spent spells in rehab, including a six-week stint at Clouds House in Wiltshire beginning in September 2007.
Earlier that year Doherty had announced on-stage at the Hackney Empire in east London his engagement to Kate Moss, who sang alongside him that night.
The couple first met two years earlier and were often seen together on London's social scene during their on-off relationship before reportedly parting in July 2007.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
10 minutes ago
- BBC News
Former Birmingham drug addict helping others on road to recovery
For nearly three decades Keeley Knowles' life consisted of shoplifting thousands of pounds worth of goods to fuel her heroin known as "Birmingham's most profile shoplifter", Ms Knowles had been to jail 28 times but is now 18 months clean and on a mission to give addicts hope."I have no doubt in my mind that I would have died," she said. "I thought I was unfixable."Her saving grace, she explained, was West Midlands Police's Offending to Recovery programme. She now works alongside the programme, doing outreach work with drug users and gives talks on the opioid treatment drug Buvidal. "Every day would roll into one, I would get up with a shop in mind and target it," said Ms Knowles, now 42. "Once I'd spent the day doing that I'd sell what I stole, score and spend all night doing drugs until the next morning and do it all over again." 'Don't write yourself off' The Offending 2 Recovery programme started work in 2018 in Erdington, Birmingham, in response to research that revealed addiction to drugs drove as much as 50% of all acquisitive crime in the findings also estimated 70% of shop theft was committed by people struggling with addiction to heroin and crack cocaine. The programme offers a free, tailored support service focused on treating addiction to break the link between crime. It is funded by local authorities, businesses and the West Midlands police and crime project is being expanded into Coventry, Dudley, Walsall and Ch Insp Katy Chapman, from West Midlands Police, said the programme has already received a positive reception in Coventry."We're six months in and seeing the great impact with businesses being able to refer people directly to the scheme," she said. "It builds confidence with our communities ...we want to look for other solutions in order to deter people from doing these crimes and turning them around so they don't continue to offend."Back in Birmingham, Ms Knowles continues to tell her story to show others it is not too late."I was seen as unfixable, too far gone but they don't look at you like that."I recently won the National Business crime solutions award and I've reconnected with my family, I'm now able to be an aunty."I thought no-one could help me but they did, so don't write yourself off," she said. If you, or someone you know, have been affected by any of the issues in this story you can find help and support via BBC Action Line. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
14 minutes ago
- BBC News
TT fans tell of passion for racing 'fix' each year
Fans of the Isle of Man TT have told how they never miss the annual race spectacular in search of their "fix" of the "addictive" event each two-week festival, which sees racing on the 37.7-mile (61km) course of closed public roads, attracts thousands of visitors from across the them, Jon Stones from North Lincolnshire said: "You just cannot beat the screaming noise of those bikes going flat out - I need that fix every year".Having regularly visited the races with his wife since 2016, he continued: "We get the ferry over and when you spot the island in the distance we think 'here we go again' and you can't wait." Rachel Stones said: "It's not something thing that was in my blood until I came with my husband, but now I wouldn't swap it."You can't describe it to people who have never been, it is just so addictive." Curt Chapman from Reno, Nevada, visited in 2017 and said "I knew I had to get back at some point" because it was "such an amazing experience".It had been the "easiest sell ever" to encourage his friends to join him to witness the "spectacle" up close in 2015, he said. The biker said a group of 15 had travelled separately from the USA, Canada, Norway, Switzerland and Germany to meet up on the island and "enjoy the most amazing event the exists in the motorcycle world"."It's such an absurd event, its so ridiculous racing on public roads, I just love that part of it," he said."I admire this whole event and the people that dare to do it." Despite delays and schedule changes, Dinny Collins from Dublin said the racing had so far had been "class" with Michael Dunlop getting his 30th TT win on Monday being a highlight."I'm fan of all the riders, I'd like to see Dean Harrison win again and Dunlop to win heaps more," he been "into bikes his whole life", he said he finally managed to make it to the races in 2023."The atmosphere and the excitement is awesome, so now we'll have to come back every year," he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Times
19 minutes ago
- Times
10 of the best Airbnbs in Rome
When it comes to operatic splendour, few places can compete with storied, sensual Rome. With its piazzas and priceless ruins casually crumbling on street corners, the Centro Storico (historic centre) stretches for nearly nine miles between the 3rd-century Aurelian Walls and the Janiculum Walls. It's essentially a triangle with Piazza del Popolo in the north, the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain to the east, and the Pantheon and Piazza Navona to the west. Featuring about 25,000 archaeological and historic sites, the Centro Storico is the place to stay if you're a first-time visitor. Of course, most other tourists also have the same idea, and the areas around Piazza del Popolo, Campo dei Fiori and Piazza Navona can be heaving — but it is magical to step out of your front door into the heart of the action. Although still in the Centro Storico, more residential areas such as Monti, Trastevere and Prati are within about 30 minutes' walk from the major sites, but have a far more Roman feel. Meanwhile, up-and-coming Pigneto is about three miles away — and is arguably the cooler and better-value option for return travellers. The city's hotel scene has matured magnificently since F Scott Fitzgerald's flea-ridden stay at the Grand in the 1920s, as described in his essay collection The Crack-Up. However, given that it attracts more than 30 million tourists every year, the chance to feel like you live in Rome — no matter how briefly — is intoxicating. Aside from being more affordable than hotels in the Centro Storico, private rentals also offer the opportunity to have a privileged glimpse of life as a local. Whether you seek a bibliophile's bolt hole or a penthouse for aperitivo soirées, here's where to call home in the Eternal City. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue ££ | SLEEPS 4 | Best for bibliophiles If you dream of moving to Rome to write a novel, this is the apartment in which to do it. In a low-slung, ochre-painted building on a quiet street in Trastevere, it is brimming with character and books. Aside from a large wooden wardrobe, the master bedroom is elegantly pared back — but the study, which contains a sofa bed, is covered with leather-bound volumes from floor to wonky wooden ceiling. All of the rooms have air conditioning, but this spot is best suited to the shoulder or winter season when you can eat tortellini in meat broth and then curl up on the sofa and set to work on your masterpiece — or read one that's already there. • Read our full guide to Rome £ | SLEEPS 2 | Best for value for location In the former stable blocks of Palazzo Lancellotti, this studio is owned by the Lancellotti family, who also own the quiet piazza itself — and its ancient olive tree, which the apartment overlooks. Although small, its vaulted ceilings, mezzanine bed and intricately patterned floor — made with antique marble from imperial Rome — create a sense of refinement that's rare at this price point. Ponte is in the heart of the Centro Storico, mere minutes from the likes of Piazza Navona, the Vatican and the Pantheon, yet it retains an upscale local feel. You might see high-heeled women shopping for designer handbags (and making light work of those cobbles), and convivial groups lunching outside smart trattorias. • Discover our full guide to Italy £ | SLEEPS 2 | Best for aesthetes As this list demonstrates, it's not difficult to find aesthetically pleasing apartments in Rome. But if you crave exquisite architectural details, look no further than this one-bedroom haven, which has high ceilings with coffers, gilt chandeliers and hand-painted frescoes. This patrician building hails from the 16th century, and has an internal courtyard where vines trail from stone balustrade staircases: it's easy to picture horse-drawn chariots rattling through the arched gateway. All of the major sights of Rome's historic centre are walkable, while Campo dei Fiori's many restaurants are just across the square. ££ | SLEEPS 5 | Best for location A few steps from the Roman Forum and Colosseum, this bright apartment is ideal for first-time visitors. It's in a fully refurbished building and features a bath, laundry facilities and a spacious open-plan living area. Although much of the furniture is mid-century, a few well-chosen antiques and a balcony with table and chairs nod to Rome's ever-present past. There are two double bedrooms including one with a mezzanine floor mattress, so it's a good option for families too. The parks of Villa Celimontana and Colle Oppio provide respite from the busy avenues, while Monti's characterful backstreets beckon just outside your front door. £££ | SLEEPS 12 | Best for intergenerational groups A penthouse with an enormous roof terrace overlooking St Peter's Basilica, this address carries a hefty price tag — and the style, space and privacy to match. With five bedrooms spread over two floors and four bathrooms, it's possible to put all of the children on one level while the adults enjoy the calm upstairs, or to divide it into family groups. The owners have a penchant for jewellery-box colours and contemporary art, which creates a modish, joyful atmosphere, and there's also a gym, laptop-friendly desks and a long table for group meals. Known for its upscale restaurants and wide avenues (many created during Mussolini's reign in order to accommodate military processions), Prati is where Rome's successful older crowd live and dine. £ | SLEEPS 3 | Best for sophisticated couples In an 18th-century mansion with views of the Villa Borghese Gardens, this split-level loft has been furnished in a classical, cosmopolitan style. Polished floorboards, antiques and a working fireplace create a refined air, complemented by a small terrace in the eaves. It's on the edge of Piazza del Popolo, a grand square known for its twin baroque churches. The Spanish Steps lead up to the Hassler Bar, the spot for excellent dry martinis, while the Borghese Gardens contain neoclassical temples and fountains, as well as the illustrious Galleria Borghese. £ | SLEEPS 2 | Best for solo travellers With its sunny balcony and quirky pieces such as a record-shaped coffee table, this studio feels like the home of a trendy thirtysomething. It's a fair guess since it's in Pigneto, the coolest place to live for those in the know — though still considered the wrong side of the tracks by others. This once-gritty district was made famous in the Sixties by the filmmaker and philosopher Pier Paolo Pasolini, and its independent bars and cafés still attract beautiful people sporting statement sunglasses and mullet-inspired haircuts. Note, it's about three miles from the Centro Storico, so is more suited to returning visitors who've already had their fill of the main sights. ££ | SLEEPS 4 | Best for living like a local Aside from crooked beams and the odd antique rug, there's little furniture in this one-bedroom penthouse — but its pièce de résistance is a suntrap terrace just under the dome of the Basilica of Sant'Andrea della Valle, a few steps from Campo de Fiori's food markets. This is where you'll take morning cappuccino and afternoon espresso, the Roman way. The apartment sleeps four but with its well-appointed kitchen, workspace and bath, it's the perfect space for a couple to make-believe that they live in the Eternal City. £££ | SLEEPS 6 | Best for groups of friends This two-bedroom apartment is sufficiently pared back to suit everyone in the group's taste, yet rich in contemporary Italian style with wooden floors and modern black furnishings that pop against the white walls. It is located in Trastevere, the riverside district that embodies Rome's movida — its party scene. The botanical gardens and Basilica Di Santa Maria are a walk away, as is the Gianicolo viewpoint, from which it's possible to see all seven of the hills of Rome. The area's real appeal lies in its cobbled backstreets and bohemian institutions such as Bar San Calisto, where poets and politicians have mingled until the early hours since 1969. £ | SLEEPS 2 | Best for socialites Featuring an enormous roof terrace with panoramic views, wall art and stained glass doors, this apartment oozes erudite charm. It's such a snip because it doesn't technically have bedrooms; rather, a dining room and two living rooms with sofa beds. This is a space for night owls to invite friends back to for cacio e pepe after a day of vintage shopping and a night of bar hopping. Residential Monti is the equivalent of London's Stoke Newington. Come aperitivo hour, the Piazza della Madonna dei Monti is a meeting point for well-dressed creatives sipping spritz, and it buzzes long into the evening with wine bars and pizza restaurants spilling out onto the streets. • Best luxury hotels in Rome• Best hotels in Rome
