Pete Doherty set to reform The Libertines

Pete Doherty has revealed he is prepared to reform his band the Libertines, even if fellow frontman Carl Barat refuses to join.

Doherty, playing a solo slot at the V Festival this weekend, said if his former bandmate decided not to go ahead with shows next year, he would simply recruit a stand-in.

The band collapsed in 2004 when the pair fell out because of Doherty's wayward behaviour as he battled with drug problems. They played some shows with Doherty, to the guitarist's annoyance.

There has been a continuing fascination among music fans about a reunion ever since.

They were offered headline slots for this year's Reading and Leeds Festivals if they reformed, but Barat was said to be unhappy with Doherty's "energy levels".

Doherty said that a reunion next year is now certain to go ahead with bassist John Hassall and drummer Gary Powell already on board.

He told this week's NME: "It's going to happen, you know. But there's Biggles (Barat) to worry about.

"If Biggles doesn't want to do it or gets cold feet or he thinks I'm still a crackhead, what am I going to do? Maybe I could reform the Libertines without him, like he did without me."

He added: "I wouldn't really want to, but you've got to pay the bills. I'll put an advert in the NME: 'Carlos lookalike required'."