Credit: Stephane Feugère

Pete Doherty reveals details of positive lifestyle change: “Something has sort of shifted in me”

Sun 20 April 2025 17:38, UK

The Libertines guitarist Pete Doherty has announced a new health update and revealed he now rarely drinks alcohol.

Speaking on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Doherty opened up about life with Type 2 Diabetes. The disease leads to high blood sugar levels, which can damage blood vessels and ultimately impact blood flow to the feet and legs. Doherty revealed that he had to make changes to avoid losing his toes.

“They were going to have to come off,” Doherty said of his toes. “They’re kind of on the mend now… I’m letting myself have a drink once in a while, like, every ten days.” The guitarist then joked about wearing orthopaedic shoes and socks to ensure a proper recovery.

The musician continued happily: “But something has sort of shifted in me. There’s not that need.”

Doherty’s journey of recovery is also positively impacting his familial relationships. The former Babyshambles frontman opened up about his growing bond with his wife Katia de Vidas and their young daughter Billie-May. He said of his wife: “It turned out she preferred me not on drugs. I preferred it when she liked me, and we built a life.”

His health struggles in the past, at the hands of decades of alcohol and substance abuse, led to a toxic relationship with his profession. “I’d think, ‘I’m dying. I’ve got to write a brilliant song right now’…that would happen a lot,” he said.

Doherty said that in the past, his need to “write and create” was “fuelled by anxiety and darkness.” However, the future is bright for Doherty; his new solo album, Felt Better Alive, will be released on May 16th through Doherty’s own label, Strap Originals. He has teamed up with producer Mike Moore, who also plays guitar for Liam Gallagher, for Felt Better Alive.

His tour will also begin on April 25th. For several shows, Doherty will be joined by The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce.