Patrick Walden dead: Babyshambles star dies aged 46 as band share moving tribute

Babyshambles star Patrick Walden has died aged 46, the band have announced in a heartbreaking post.

In a statement, they said: "It is with deep regret and sadness that we share the news of Patrick Walden's death. We feel very fortunate to have known, loved and worked with him and we kindly ask for respect and privacy during these difficult times. Peter, Drew, Mik, Adam."

No cause of death has been confirmed. Fans have since offered their condolences, with one writing: "Very sad to hear the news… Biggest love to all." A second penned: "Can't believe this. Absolute genius on the guitar, Babyshambles were at their peak with Pat. But more importantly a genuine lovely guy. Down in Albion will always be a masterpiece to me."

A third typed: "Such a genius, made so much from his sound which meant Pete only had to sing live, which was difficult in them days considering it was also 50/50 if the shows even happened! Thanks for the music Pat, at least we'll always have that, and the greatest of memories...."

"Totaly destroyed me this. Very sad to hear this. He was a brilliant guitarist and was hoping he would be coming back in babyshambles. Watched some of his videos recently and thought brilliant hes back. Rip pat," another heartbroken fan said.

Babyshambles and Pete Doherty shared the post on their official Instagram pages.

Patrick, who also played for James Blunt, became "obsessed" with playing the guitar when he was 13 years old after his father gave him the instrument as well as a book of Eric Clapton songs.

He said in an old interview: "It became my whole focus. My school work fell away."

The band was formed 21 years ago and became Pete Doherty's main outlet for poetic yet chaotic rock when he was driven out from The Libertines due to his drug use. Babyshambles released their self-titled debut 7" in April that year.

The group consisted of Pete, guitarist Patrick, bassist Drew McConnell, and drummer Gemma Clarke by the time summer came around. Adam Ficek later joined the group as drummer and percussionist.

By 2005, they released their debut album, Down in Albion, which landed in the Top 10 Album charts. Patrick co-wrote six of the 16 tracts on the debut album.

By December 2005, Patrick left the band, with them continuing to perform under the same name. It wasn't until January 2006, in an issue of NME, that his departure was officially announced.

Around the same time, he was charged with assaulting his girlfriend in their north London home, which he was later cleared of.

In early 2006, he returned to play guitar for the band at a gig in Cambridge and performed several more times after. He left the band due to his heavy drug abuse, with him later leaving London to get clean of drugs.

Mick Whitnall then became the group's new guitarist.

Before becoming the guitarist for Babyshambles, Patrick was part of Fluid, the Six Cold Thousand and The White Sport.

Patrick had mixed feelings about Babyshambles but said in a 2014 interview that Pete "was the one that made it all so exciting for so many people."

He said: "It’s definitely affected me in some way but at the same time it gave me the opportunity to become sort of well-known for my guitar playing.”

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