Pete Doherty Says Gigs Were Cancelled Due to Heart Scare
- Posted on Nov 25th 2009 7:39AM by Richard Moore
- Comments (28)
Ex-Libertine, solo star and Babyshambles front man Pete Doherty has revealed that a recent string of Irish dates was cancelled due to him being admitted to hospital and hooked up to a life support machine. The reason behind the singer's cancelations in Belfast, Dublin and Galway in October was originally given as the somewhat generic "exhaustion," after he was admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties. In an interview with NME.com, however, he has now said that the reality was in fact very serious.
"If I hadn't been on a life support machine I'd have been in Ireland," he said. "But my heart stopped." Due to his drug use in the past, doctors at Swindon's Great Western Hospital naturally thought the singer's condition was narcotics-related. He has previously been given an implant which is said to negate the effects of heroin and cocaine in order to curb his misuse.
"Their [doctors] immediate thought was that it was to do with drugs but it wasn't," he said. "What happened? Well, I don't know. I don't remember. I was running into the walls, making steering wheel signs with my hands. And then I just stopped. My body just stopped."
Clearly living up to his affectionate tabloid nickname of "Potty" Pete the frontman said that he was given the all-clear by hospital staff after an overnight stay. He then said he was very much looking forward to Babyshambles' December tour. "A tour's just what the doctor ordered," he said.





Reader Comments(1 of 2)
Suzyat 11-28-2009
Pete Doherty is one day, going to: A. Go to jail. B. Be in an institution. C. Dead. That
is the worst list if I ever had to pick from
it!
ronat 11-28-2009
Wake up death is eminent. All of a sudden you'll be lying there and realize you can't breath....and this time lights out for good...c'mon do you wanna join the ranks of Hendrix Joplin...and countless more..you are not immune...I don't even know who potty pete is...and I guess I'll never know....I'll just say oh yeah that guy did die....and that will be that I do speak from experience so I do know drugs can be kicked...cause they will destroy you...and everything in your path including integrity...friends....loves....all suffer cause they no longer exist...it's just you and you getting high. What a waste....for what...a feeling so fleeting...needing to be chased. SLAVE PETE. SAVE PETE. for PETE'S SAKE.
Alat 11-28-2009
Instead of criticism??Pray for him???????
Steveat 11-28-2009
Say no to crack you friggin basehead. I wish this guy would OD so i could stop reading about his pathetic existance.
daleat 11-28-2009
You choose to read about him. You don't have to read about him, correct?
Meganat 11-28-2009
Who cares, he's a loser. Life support this week drug overdose next week.
Lisaat 11-28-2009
This guy always looks like he needs a shower. Another talentless drug infested "artist".
Giaat 11-28-2009
Ya'll are PATHETIC. Hopefully this scare will inspire him to get on the right track. I wish him the best.
lsjcajat 11-28-2009
Narcotics Annonymous is always there for you if you need them, they can and will help, but you have to want it for yourself.
guyat 11-28-2009
A heart problem? What about his missing brain problem?
Hollyat 11-28-2009
Nice try, loser. You were on a "life support machine", and stayed only overnight? Give me a break. You probably overdosed, you stopped breathing, they gave you something to reverse the drugs, and kicked you out of the hospital because you were being a pain in the ass. And, an "implant that negates the effects of heroin and cocaine"?? Heroin and cocaine are two completely different drugs with two completely different mechanisms of action, idiot. This guy is in such denial that he is actually believing his own lies! There's an old saying: How do you know when a drug addict is lying? His mouth is moving. It's true--it is amazing that he hasn't killed himself with the drugs he is doing. I have all the compassion and sympathy in the world for someone who has a problem and seeks help and honestly puts in the work to get clean and sober and stay that way. But, I don't have any compassion or sympathy for a guy who doesn't care, won't go to rehab or even TRY to stay off the drugs---he knows the risks, what drugs do to you, and still continues to do them. You can tell lies to a lot of people---some will believe you, others won't, and some people know the facts behind your lies. And, I know the facts behind the lies. Everything he is saying is a lie.
peteyat 11-28-2009
I don't even know him or heard of him but I am like the one that says he needs prayer..........it can really change a person from the inside which always shows on the outside too. But like another said, he has to want it also. God loves him just as he love all others.
Marcusat 11-28-2009
No matter. He's still going to be at the top of my 2010 Dead Pool list. It's just a matter of time.
Shaughnat 11-28-2009
Since when does a hospital put you on life support and then let you go home the next day? That doesn't sound like an "overnight stay" to me. I think he made it up just to get attention!
Mattat 11-28-2009
You're exactly right. My guess is that they put IVs in him, hooked him up to oxygen and EKG monitor and ran some tests and xrays, then sent him to ICU and when everything came back normal, they discharged him directly from ICU (it's uncommon but is done. Not even close to life support - just normal hospital protocol.
shawntaat 11-28-2009
Bret--really? Are you kidding? People like you have zero value of human life.
You've obviously never lost someone close to you to drug use.
You don't sit and belittle them to make yourself feel better about your inner struggle with you own issues.
terryat 11-28-2009
Im with Petey,I dont think I even know who this guy is but instead of wishing him dead or putting him down, pray for him that he will find the strength to overcome his addictions. If he were to read these posts whos to say the nasty comments wouldnt send him looking for a fix to make himself feel better. I would not want to be the reason he kills himself. Please pray for him.
vbeek2002at 11-28-2009
Okay. I'll 'pray' for him to die. Useless loser.
turtleat 11-28-2009
i hope that the people judging you in your life are a bit kinder to you and your struggles than you are to complete strangers who you think you know enough about to spat off rude, mean words and judgements...... i hope you find happiness within yourself someday.
pierpointwindsorat 11-28-2009
It is always sad and even tragic when one indulges in the use of illegal substances. Those critics above tell much more about themselves than the subject they each take such great delight in judging. YOU've absolutely no idea how one may, if not constantly on guard, be initiated into dangerous and even deadly bad habits. Those in the industry can tell you how exhausting a tour is. Then there are gatherings, sometime large parties or smaller. Then the 'stuff' appears. Someone may say try this or that-in some instances people you've grown to trust withing you own circle and beign tired in a weak moment one may 'experiment'. That, my friends, is all it takes. I managed to avoid and escape-walking our on parties where drugs were rampant after an hour or two. Close friends however were not so fortunate-lives-entire lives which could have been incredible-in shambles-How dare you judge him! He has taken serious medical steps to quit-did you read the bit about the implant? I wish him all the best-PMA and lots of self-discipline