It is the news their legions of loyal fans have waited years to hear.

The Libertines have confirmed the rumours they will be reuniting for a one-off show in Hyde Park this summer on 5 July.

The concert, which will be a part of the Barclaycard British Summer Time concerts running throughout July, will be the band's biggest ever UK show and their first for four years.

They will be supported by the Pogues, best known for their cult Christmas hit Fairytale of New York.

Despite splitting up in 2004 following discord in the band, the Libertines – formed in 1997 by Pete Doherty and Carl Barât along with Gary Powell and John Hassall – temporarily reunited to play at Reading and Leeds festivals in 2010.

Rumours of the band reuniting have abounded on fan forums all week after Doherty revealed in an interview with Israeli newspaper Ynet that he had been approached to reconvene with his old bandmates.

"I don't know if I'm supposed to even tell you this, but we were offered [the chance] to reform the Libertines for a show this July in Hyde Park," he was quoted as saying.

He added: “I said yes. The thing is when I think about it now, it was kind of a strange answer because I think in most days if you asked me the same question I would say no, but recently I tried to call Carl [Barât] and couldn't reach him."



Doherty, who now lives in Paris, suggested he had financial motivation in bringing the old band back together.



“Not long ago I listened to the Libertines' songs on YouTube and had a burst of nostalgia so I said what the heck,” he said. “Then they told me how much they will pay us and, I cannot lie to you, I couldn't say no, at least not in my state right now.”

Barât had also hinted that the Libertines reunion was "very much a possibility".

The Libertines occupy a cult status within British music. Their debut album Up the Bracket was released to critical acclaim in 2002, and was followed up two years later with the equally lauded and commercially successful The Libertines.

However, turbulence in the relationship between Doherty and Barât – caused, in part, by Doherty's spiralling drug addiction – meant the band parted ways soon after the release of their second album.

Barât would go on to form the band Dirty Pretty Things with Powell, while Doherty continued as the frontman for his band Babyshambles, both with varying commercial success.

Doherty, who became a regular feature in the tabloids during his relationship with model Kate Moss, also released a solo album, Grace/ Wastelands, in 2009, while Barât's new band, the Jackals, are expected to release their debut album in September.

Tickets for the concert will go on general sale Friday 2 May