Pete Doherty replaced at London gig

When Pete Doherty was unexpectedly taken ill, and only half his band managed to turn up, one lucky fan was given the chance of a lifetime to play guitar with Babyshambles.

Bassist Drew McConnell and drummer Adam Ficek decided the show must go on at NME Awards launch party at London's O2 Arena.

Taking the stage for a headline set in the intimate IndigO2 venue, the pair appealed for an audience member who could play guitar.

Jamie Bell, 18, from Newcastle, was picked to play a song, and rose to the occasion to rapturous applause.

The band went on to wing their way through a selection of Babyshambles hits, along with covers of The Clash's Janie Jones and Molly's Lips by The Vaselines in front of special guests including model Agyness Deyn.

An onlooker said: "Babyshambles were the secret guests, but the act before them, The Wombats, were clearly covering because they were so late on.

"Then half the band came on, and they were obviously struggling. The bass player had taken over on guitar, and they asked if anyone knew the songs.

"One guy, Jamie, did - so he performed Carry On Up The Morning from the new album Shotter's Nation. He was quite good actually. He knew how to play it on guitar and he knew all the words. He got a good reaction from the crowd.

"He saved the day to a certain extent, and afterwards he was whisked off backstage. Hopefully he was rewarded for his efforts."