Troubled rock star Pete Doherty today called off his band’s sell-out Norwich show for the third time this year. The venue has now lost patience with the band and said the date will not be rescheduled.

Troubled rock star Pete Doherty today cancelled his band's sell-out Norwich show for the third time this year.

Doherty - infamous for his battle with drugs and his controversial relationship with Kate Moss - blamed the cancellation of the Babyshambles gig on “constant pressure and continued harassment from outside sources”.

But he came under criticism from Nick Rayns, entertainment manager at the UEA, who said this latest cancellation let down hundreds of fans and called the 1500-capacity venue's credibility into question.

Shows in Coventry on Saturday and London on Sunday have also been cancelled. There are no plans to reschedule the Norwich date and Mr Rayns said it was unlikely the band would be booked to play the city again.

Tonight's gig was already rescheduled after the previous performance on October 2 was called off after Doherty was detained during a series of drugs raids in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Another date in July had also been cancelled at the last minute.

Mr Rayns said: “We won't be trying to reschedule this date because quite frankly we've lost patience.

“We have contacted as many people as possible to let them know about the cancellation but ultimately there will be some people who travel only to find out it's been called off.

“We would need to be 100pc sure they would be able to honour the arrangement if we were to book them again. Given the frustrations we've experienced, I'm not sure whether that will be possible.

“This doesn't just reflect badly on the band but also on the venue.”

A statement issued on behalf of the band read: “The band have unfortunately made the decision to cancel the shows this weekend in Norwich, Coventry and London's Koko.

“The decision has not been taken lightly and the band apologise to their fans for any inconvenience caused, especially to those in Norwich as this gig has already been rescheduled from the 2nd October after Peter was held by the police in Shrewsbury and was unable to make the journey.”

See www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk for refund details.