Doherty illness halts Babyshambles gig

Babyshambles were forced to halt a gig halfway through after Pete Doherty fell ill and had to leave the stage.

The singer had vomited and passed out briefly as a result of a flu virus prior to starting Tuesday's Rhythm Factory gig in East London.

He performed eight songs with the band before claiming that he felt too ill to finish the set.

Guitarist Mick Whitnall took over on vocals for I Wish, after which the group picked out members of the audience to help them perform Delivery, Albion and F*** Forever.

Bassist Dre McConnell told fans: "Thanks for humouring Babyshambles karaoke."

Doherty's spokesman insisted that the singer's illness was not drug-related, saying, "[He's] seen a doctor and is fine, but exhausted."

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