FORGET Preston, Chantelle, Jordan and the other no-marks, is there a bigger home-grown media star than Pete Doherty? No, didn't think so.

Which makes the fact he's playing a small club in Bournemouth - hours before the tabloids print more lurid allegations about his troubled private life - all the more remarkable.

There's no 'cool' press in it for him; there are no brownie points with the London-based media slaves; all there is for him and his wonderfully able band is connecting with their audience. And if their audience exists anywhere it's in small, suburban, everyday England. Where else?

Following four hard-working support acts - not least lively locals The Viff, whose single 2CR-FM are staking their reputation on getting in the charts - and a teasing "We've lost Peter" line delivered from the stage an hour before show-time, Babyshambles had to deliver. That they did is testament to their quality as musicians, artists and, well, party fiends.

With a righteously sorted band backing his flights of Anglicised fancy, Pete Doherty was right at home doing what he does best, articulating and romanticising the humdrum world of the Ordinary People like you and me.

He leads the choruses of the barn-storming Killamangiro, the achingly poetic Albion and the triumphant Forever like a seasoned music hall pro, more than aware of the deal being dealt.

An incendiary Pipedown is rapturously received with more knowledge than any parent would be happy with.

As the ever-adaptable band turn their hand to anything from deepest, darkest dub reggae to lighters-in-the-air stadium anthems I couldn't help wondering if Pete Doherty and Babyshambles are worth more than their indie heroes status.

Ultimately - and depending on your view of Pete's talent - gigs like this are frustrating because he's so much better than Chris Martin or Noel Gallagher or (heaven forfend) Elton John. The man's a poet and in the town where the heart of Percy Shelley lies buried he would do well to remember that when he plays Twisters again tonight.

Babyshambles play Twisters for a second night tonight. Tickets: 01202 702072.