McConnell claims Doherty is "chipper"

Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnell has claimed that Pete Doherty is "surprisingly chipper" in jail.

The rocker said that he wanted to give his bandmate a "cuff round the earholes" for ending up in prison, but said that the singer was coping well.

McConnell told BBC 6 Music: "For a man behind bars, he is surprisingly chipper. It's the healthiest he's been in a while.

"He's been inside a few times now. I would hate to suggest that he's becoming hardened to it... but it's better than it breaking his heart, as much as it's breaking his friends' and family's hearts."

Doherty was jailed for 14 weeks by West London Magistrates Court earlier this month for breaching a probation order.

Talking about the band's plans for when Doherty is released, McConnell said: "When he gets out we are gonna give him a cuff round the earholes, sling a guitar round his neck and get back to business.

"He is champing at the bit to play festivals this summer, and just to strap his guitar on again and be the frontman of Babyshambles."

When asked whether Babyshambles would ever tour without Doherty in the band, he replied: "Not as Babyshambles no. Peter is first amongst equals in the band, there is no Babyshambles without Peter."