The above picture is rather creepy in that Pete Doherty looks like he’s kissing his Ghost of Christmas Future, Shane McGowan. The disturbing part comes in when one realizes that not even McGowan has been stupid enough to make a limb explode, so to speak. At any rate, Pete and his exploding artery/limb haven’t been seen in public in the past several days, nor have his “handlers” made a public statement regarding this hilarious unfortunate incident. Doherty, however, has all but confirmed his artery’s demise by curiously cancelling a three-night run of gigs:

Pete Doherty has pulled out of three nights of solo shows at London’s Rhythm Factory.

A spokesperson for the venue told NME.COM that Doherty called staff at the venue late last night (December 20), “at the 11th hour – just before he was due on”, [sic] to say he wouldn’t make it.

The Babyshambles man blamed an arm injury as the cause of the cancellation.

He had been due to play at the venue last night, tonight (21) and tomorrow (22). Last night’s show was due to be filmed for a DVD to be released with his forthcoming new album.

Well, mates. This certainly looks like corroborating proof of the “exploding arm” report. If so, this is the first time that Doherty will have suffered more than a lingering physical consequence of his life on needles. So, the lingering question is whether Our Antihero will check himself into rehab for the fifteenth time (express check in, mates?) or just wait until he’s arrested for some predictable offense in the immediate future. Bloody hell.