Troubled singer Pete Doherty put his wild rock 'n' roll persona aside last night as he paid tribute to a teenage cancer victim.

The Babyshambles frontman performed at the wake of Newcastle teen Daniel Squires, 16, who died on 4 July after losing his battle against bone cancer.

Doherty formed a friendship with Squires after meeting him backstage at a gig.

Paying his respects: Rocker Pete Doherty who was so overcome by the death of young fan Daniel Squires that he played a gig at the teenager's wake

After hearing the tragic news of Squires' death, Doherty was determined to comfort Squires' parents Becky and Mark at the young man's funeral on Monday.

Doherty, 28, spent over an hour with Squires' friends and family at the Golden Lion pub in Jarrow, south Tynside.

The former Libertines singer took to the stage with his guitar teaming up with one of the teenager's friends in an emotional tribute following the funeral at South Shields Crematorium.

Sombre: Pete Doherty, dressed in a black suit, talks to friends and family of cancer victim Daniel Squire outside the wake in Jarrow, South Tyneside

Manager Lynette Gale said: 'He was here for around an hour and a half. It went  very well, there were a lot of people here. He was on the stage at the back of  the pub and everyone was crowding around him.

'I think he said that he wanted to come up as a tribute and it's such a lovely  gesture. It was special.'

Earlier this year Daniel said that he wanted to 'build as many special memories,' for himself, his family and friends as possible in the time he had  left.

One of the things on his wish list was to meet Doherty.

Daniel said: 'Pete and the band have just been absolutely amazing and hopefully  I will be able to stay well enough to see them play again.'

Emotional: Pete Doherty listens to friends and family's memories of Daniel Squires

After his death, father Mark spoke of the role Doherty played in his son's life.

He added: "He invited Dan to a gig in Bristol and Pete dedicated a song to him.  Another time, there was a fundraising gig in London for the charity Teenage Kicks.  

"Although Pete and his band Babyshambles were touring Europe and not booked to  appear, they flew back for the gig and asked organisers if they could do a set  which they dedicated to Daniel.

'Pete also gave him his mobile phone number and told Daniel to ring him if he  ever needed anything.'

Daniel, a student at Hebburn Comprehensive School, also met Oasis star Noel  Gallagher and helped to write a song for a show at the Royal Albert Hall in  London.

The teenager also worked alongside Roger Daltrey, The Who's lead singer, during  a concert at The Sage Gateshead.