I find it annoying how these 'stars' take drugs and all of a sudden they are held up as troubled geniuses, it is a sad reflection of our society.

Josh, Sheffield, England

Listen to his music and lyrics before you make comments based on your O.K. magazines. Why does a hero have to be someone who cuts their carbon emissions (global warming doesn't exist) or wins a programme based on people promoting themsleves on ice skates. A hero is a matter of personal opinion - and his talent happens to put a smile on my face....

Elliot, Croydon,

They also gave the Manic Street Preachers an award for 'godlike genius'. Further proof if any were needed that the NME is as utterly irrelevant as it has ever been. Will the last one to leave please turn out the lights?

Sophie, Liverpool,

Hero of the year Pete Doherty is, and why you may ask?

NME readers don't pay attention to the cracks in his life - (no pun there) but to his music. He has always been out there churning great songwriting, way above the average and all the new bands pale in comparison to his standards. Before you slate him, give the guy a chance... you're insulting the intelligence of masses of fans who feel deeply connected to his songwords. He is truly inspirational, in the way he crafts his lyrics - google Time For Heroes.

"There are fewer more distressing sights/Than that of an Englishman in a Baseball Cap/We're all die in the class we were born/Thats a class of our own my love"

Only Doherty could come up with something as subtle and genius . Give the man a chance...

Hes clever... "but clever ain't wise"

Helen, London,

They are not heroes. They are silly little, schoolboys pretending to be cool - they've probably never done a proper days work in their life. Peter Doherty needs a good bath - he is NO hero.

jessica, south, uk

most of these people making perforative comments have never even taken the time to listen to his album...

btw, shane mcgowen makes him look positively timid

Lucie, London,

Not a rag that I read, but MNE has proved that the whole Pop industry is as corrupt as our politicians, and you can't get any worse than that

FEF , Cheltenham, UK

This is just a pathetic attempt by todays young in the media to try and create their own cool icons like jim morrison, jimi hendrix, etc... Unfortunately, the previous mentioned had more talent in their little toes than that waste of blood and organs Doherty

Pete, St Albans, England

Hey, I'm a talentless poser hack too - why wasn't I voted Hero of the Year? Oh, right, right...the drug habit. Huh.

Timmy McTimtim, York, UK

I have an Antique stall on Hungerford outside market once a week and Pete has visited my stall a couple of times. He buys a few things he likes and we have a bit of a chat. What a shame some people only see the negative in folks. I find him totaly charming and of a kind nature and the more I see his work, the more I believe he will become as legendary as many. I wish him only good luck with his music and his life.
Tony Simm, Berkshire, UK

Tony Simm, andover, england

"Morrison is revered today as a poet and musical genius" - by who exactly. His poetry is adolescent and derivative - he did not write any music, that was done by the rest of the band.

I would cite Keith Richards - indeed a hero, with a much longer and more deranged use of drugs, guns, violence etc than anything ol' Pete has done.

Its not hard to fathom - Pete, Keith, Jim - they are all attractive men, who live on the 'edge' which is very attractive when you are a wage slave stuck in the rut of modern existence.

Chris, Crawley, UK

Well look at Jim Morrison, he makes Doherty look tea-total.
Morrison is revered today as a poet and musical genius.
Will whatshisface become as legendary?
Time will tell

Phill Barlow, The Wirral, England