Ex-Libertines singer misses show

Pete Doherty (bottom left)

Former Libertines singer Pete Doherty has apologised to fans after failing to appear at a solo concert.

An audience of 150 turned up for a planned acoustic set by Doherty at the Barfly pub in Camden, London on Monday.

But Doherty said problems with an "aggressive" doorman meant he did not want to perform. He went on to play a free set for fans at his flat instead.

No-one from the Barfly was immediately available for comment. Doherty also failed to show at another planned gig.

A spokeswoman for the Scala club in Kings Cross, central London, said he had been due to appear at the venue on Tuesday night.

She said 700 fans had paid £10 a ticket for the sell-out show and were "obviously disappointed" at the outcome.

Doherty was due to perform at the shows with occasional partner Wolfman.

Doherty said it was the attitude of a doorman at Barfly which led to his non-appearence.

In a statement, Doherty said: "We have played at venues up and down the country on this tour, some of which had no security, and have encountered no problems or witnessed any aggression.

"I simply asked the bouncer last night to apologise for his behaviour, three times in fact, and he refused.

"I was very upset at his attitude and...I'm very sorry for letting everyone down..."

Until Monday, Doherty had played six gigs in what had been a successful tour.

His well-documented battle with drug addiction led to him being ejected from The Libertines, whose second album is due out later this month.

He has arranged a new London date - at the Wadestock 2004 Beach Party on Saturday - to compensate fans who turned up to see him on Monday.