Due to a “serious anxiety attack” suffered by songwriter Pete Doherty, The Libertines have cancelled their shows in London and Manchester that they were set to play in the last few days.

The band played in Berlin on Saturday but no future dates are expected to be affected. The band is set to reschedule the shows. The band’s representative released a statement explaining that the decision was made by the management and that Doherty took the time to be near “his friends in his support network” at a hotel in Coventry. The full statement can be read below.

For the loved and trusted;

Thanks for your invaluable support and overwhelmingly positive messages after last weeks events, particularly those at the gig who had every reason to feel hurt.

Peter suffered a serious anxiety attack during the hours leading up to the scheduled performance at the Electric Ballroom last Thursday. The ideal coping mechanism in this situation is to lock yourself away from the source of the anxiety and in this case he headed to a hotel near Coventry in the early hours of Friday morning, in order that he be close to friends in his support network.

Libertines Counsellor Dylan Kerr “Anxiety is notoriously subtle and greatly prejudiced against and sometimes there are no obvious outward signs at all. It purely a psychological experience and the person must do whatever is necessary to arrest those feelings. It is a good thing that Peter is trying to live a normal life, as these are the reactions to stress that you’re taught to use in rehab – rather than shutting yourself away. Avoid the stress and resume some normality.”

Anxiety is a condition affecting many thousands of people in the country. It is often not discussed or hidden by the sufferer for fear of stigmatisation and indeed the condition makes the victim hide away which worsens the condition. However with time it can be manageable to a certain extent and there are many wonderful organisations which can provide help and advice on the subject such as MIND.

http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/?gclid=CIaQpYjA9scCFUFmGwodTA0Hsw#.Vfa6GhNViko

The decision to cancel the show in Manchester did not come from Peter it was made by management, who felt it important to ensure Peter’s welfare is a priority in line with any other ongoing treatment. Obviously the time away from the spotlight enabled the band to meet their existing commitment in Berlin and the Albion sails on course….

Look out for an announcement very soon regarding the rescheduled dates as The Libertines are keen to make it up to anyone who felt disappointed.

The Libertines Cancelled Tour Dates 2015

09/10: Electric Ballroom Camden, London

09/11: The Ritz Manchester, England