Rocker Pete Doherty has been warned by doctors that he is at risk of having his toes amputated as he continues to battle type 2 diabetes. The Libertines star, 45, is currently on a European tour, where he has performed from a chair for five dates so far.
According to reports, he told fans during a performance in Munich, Germany, that his illness has progressed. He revealed: “I saw the doctor today and he said you need to stay off your feet as much as you can otherwise you’ll lose your toes.” The singer has been wearing orthopaedic shoes since Friday, February 14, after previously performing in slippers or socks.
At a show in Cologne, his bandmate Carl Barat was seen helping him off stage. Earlier this month, Doherty used a walking stick at a gallery launch in Berlin. The musician, who famously dated Kate Moss from 2005 to 2007, revealed last year he had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a condition that raises the risk of serious foot problems and amputation.
Last spring he said: “I’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. And at the moment, I’m lacking the discipline to tackle cholesterol.” He is believed to be at further risk due to his years of drug abuse. In 2022, he said: “I was pushing the limits. There were close calls. I nearly lost my feet and horrible things like that. It was very close, just because of the injecting.”
In November 2023, he told journalist Louis Theroux: “You are looking at a very sick man. I’ve battered it, caned it. The heroin and crack I surrender to that. Then it was cocaine, smoking and alcohol. Now it’s cheese and the saucisson, and the sugar in the tea... it’s all gotta go. They told me a while ago if you don’t change your diet you’re going to have cholesterol problems. Death’s lurking.”
Diabetes UK explained: “Over time raised blood sugar levels can damage the vessels that supply the nerves in your feet. This stops nutrients reaching the nerves. You can lose feeling – peripheral neuropathy – and damage feet without noticing. Blood supply to the feet is also reduced. Cuts and sores may struggle to heal. Left untreated, these problems can lead to foot ulcers, infections and, at worst, amputations.”
