For once, though, Doherty was not the subject of the interview. Instead, the Babyshambles frontman and ex-boyfriend of supermodel Kate Moss was interviewing Sir Paul McCartney for the Observer Music Monthly.

A friend of Doherty's told the Mirror's 3AM Girls, "Pete didn't sleep the night before the interview just thinking about what he'd say to the legend when they actually came face to face." The insider added, "Macca has got a sense of fun, and was willing to give anything a try. He's really supportive of young bands and finds Pete strangely interesting. He was well up for letting a fellow muso interview him.

The interview has a real impact on Doherty. Says the source, "He was overwhelmed by meeting Macca. They had a real heart to heart - at times it was like a father talking to his son. Pete promised Paul he was serious about getting clean, was through with the drugs, and said he never wanted to fall back into his dark days again. They spoke about everything from music, other singers and even touched on the subject of women - but that was strictly between the two of them."