The judge told the singer that she was even more optimistic than she had been at his previous review in October and, as a result, his case need not be reviewed as frequently.

She told Pete, who appeared at his latest court appearance wearing a dark suit and carrying his trademark trilby hat, that his doctor had referred to the "great effort" he was making to beat his addiction.

"But it’s a long process and there is another nine months to go," she said.

"This is more optimistic but we cannot take the pressure off. It takes day-to-day effort."

Defence counsel Bruce Clark agreed that Doherty’s progress was "encouraging".

The judge ordered Pete to return to court for another review on April 18.

As he left the court following the five-minute hearing, the star said it had not been easy trying to give up drugs.

"It’s like she said, really it’s just time.

"For the first time I am actually turning up for appointments in a coherent state. For them, it’s a big step."

Pete refused to comment on reports that he and supermodel girlfriend Kate Moss are due to get married tomorrow.

No action after Pete Doherty arrest - Jan 14 2007
Police will take no further action against Pete Doherty after the rock star’s latest arrest, Scotland Yard said.

The Babyshambles frontman and two other men were arrested in Hackney, east London, on Saturday, but Doherty and one of the men were later released without charge, a police spokesman said.

He added that Doherty and the other released man had not been held overnight, and that there would be no further action taken against them.

The third man arrested was named as Redouane Aalit, 35, who is unemployed and lives in Hackney.

He has been charged with failing to stop for police, driving without due care and attention and not having a test certificate, insurance or driving licence.

Aalit will appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Monday, the spokesman said.

Doherty’s latest brush with the law came as the BBC said that he is banned from appearing on its children’s television programmes.

A spokeswoman said: "Pete Doherty is well known for his drug-taking and criminal behaviour. As such, he is currently not an appropriate guest for CBBC."

She said that the singer is not deemed suitable for shows made for seven to 10-year-olds, ruling out programmes including the Saturday music show TMi and Blue Peter.

But she added that it was not a blanket ban across the network, and editorial judgements should be made with the target audience in mind.

Pete promises pal support slot? - Jan 9 2007
It seems rocker Pete Doherty has promised QPR footie pal Gareth Ainsworth a slot supporting Babyshambles to give his band a boost.

The 33-year-old midfielder sings in unsigned band Dog Chewed The Handle and after seeing them play, Pete apparently offered them the slot next month.

An insider told the Daily Star: "Pete is a huge QPR fan and as a result has become matey with some of the players who he’ll hang around with after seeing the game.

"He got talking to Gareth about music and he told him about his band, who are quite poppy but with metal influences. They’re named after a Terrorvision lyric and sound similar.

"Pete said he was keen to check them out so went along to one of their shows and was impressed. He told Gareth he wanted them to support Babyshambles when they play in February.