A style-icon for indie kids, the lanky Doherty is widely credited for single-handedly getting a whole generation of young men to start wearing trilbies again.

A fan of Fred Perry shirts and Burberry coats he often mixes up with rosary beads, Doherty is also to feature in the upcoming edition of fashion bible Vogue focusing on British style.

The cover of Babyshambles' new single "The Blinding" has a bare-chested Doherty holding his guitar blinded by black tape.

It appears to be an allusion to the media fascination with his private life, which has overshadowed interest in his music and his role as a pioneer of a new generation of musicians that have revitalized guitar rock.