Pete Doherty could lose his toes after diabetes diagnosis
Reformed rocker Pete Doherty has revealed his doctors are concerned about having to amputate his toes after his diabetes diagnosis.
The 45-year-old musician – who has been open about his addiction struggles in the past – announced his Type 2 diagnosis last year.
At the time he said he had given up his ‘main poisons’ in a bid to lead a better lifestyle but was ‘healthier while on heroin’.
While performing on a string of European tour dates, The Libertines icon was seated for most of his shows sparking some concern.
During his concert in Munich, Germany, Pete addressed the crowd and gave a ‘little explanation’ as he limped across the stage.
‘I saw the doctor and he said you need to stay off your feet as much as you can otherwise you’ll lose your toes,’ he shared.
In the video, obtained by The Sun, Pete seems upbeat despite appearing to struggle walking as he jokes about historic figures losing hands to diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes causes the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood to become too high and can result in damage to the kidneys, nerves, eyes, and loss of extremities.
According to the NHS, it’s often linked to being overweight or inactive or having a family history of the condition.
Last year, Pete told The Guardian’s Saturday magazine: ‘I gave up the main poisons and my health improved. Then you get told alcohol and cheese and sugar are just as bad and you were healthier when you were on heroin.’
Pete joked he was healthier while on drugs
His bandmate Carl Barat, 45, said, ‘Gluttony,’ and Pete agreed: ‘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.’
He also told the Evening Standard that cheese was proving a big problem for him as a liver doctor warned him about his overconsumption.
‘I need to change my diet – too much cheese, too much milk,’ the singer said. ‘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.’
Despite the health issues, Pete has made no moves to slow down and even teased a reunion of Babyshambles who went on indefinite hiatus when The Libertines reformed.
Babyshambles reunion on the cards
‘It is on the cards,’ he told NME. ‘We will get back together and get in a room with the instruments and play through the old songs, then get on stage and do it.
‘But it’s the “who” and the “when” that needs to be worked out. I think we’ll just keep that one on the horizon and deal with that one next year.’
Babyshambles went through a few lineup changes as Pete and other bandmates’ drug use caused friction, the same reason he left The Libertines.
In May 2023, Pete welcomed a baby girl Billie-May with his wife Katia de Vidas, sharing a photo of the newborn curled up.
The pair married in September 2021, just two days after confirming their engagement, in a private ceremony at a French retreat.
Pete Doherty reveals he’s at risk of amputation after health diagnosis