He has made more headlines for his drug abuse and love life than for his music in recent years.

But loyal fans still secured Pete Doherty a Shockwaves NME Award when he was named best solo artist.

Doherty, 29, took to the stage, wine bottle in hand, to say thanks for the award in the only music honours voted for by the public. He dedicated it to his grandmother, Dolly.

Pictures: all the action from the NME Awards

In a night of old rivalries and reconciliations at the 02 Brixton Academy, Doherty was warmly embraced by Carl Barat, his former bandmate in The Libertines.

Barat triggered the band's break-up by insisting Doherty address his drug problems.

The award marks a return to business for Doherty with a new solo UK tour under way and a new album, Grace/Wastelands, out next month.

Conor McNicholas, NME editor, said: “As a nation, we have a love affair with real rock stars. There's a whole generation who have lived vicariously through Pete Doherty.”

Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon of Blur, who are reforming to play this summer, performed as the surprise guests. Oasis were best British band and The Cure received the Godlike Genius honour from Tim Burton, the film director with hair even more outrageous than Cure frontman Robert Smith.

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