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The Libertines frontman Pete Doherty surprised passers-by in Cliftonville when he wolfed down a big breakfast challenge this morning (August 21).

The indie band have become familiar faces around Thanet after taking over a hotel and becoming shirt sponsors for Margate FC, as well as announcing their final gig to be at the Wheels and Fin Festival in Broadstairs.

But Doherty was spotted in a more down to earth setting after taking on the mammoth 'mega breakfast' challenge at Dalby Cafe in Cliftonville.

The challenge consists of four rashers of bacon, four eggs, four sausages, hash browns, onion rings, bubble and squeak, beans, two slices of thick break well as a quarter pounder burger and chips.

If consumed in under 20 minutes, diners get the meal for free - something only a handful of people have managed to conquer.

'He smashed it'

Mark Ezekiel, cafe owner, said: "The challenge has been going since 2004, and 15 or 16 people have managed to complete it in total.

"Only five or six have managed to complete it in 20 minutes.

“He really surprised us that he managed it. He might be slim, but he is very tall. He’s 6ft 3.”

Doherty, who is rumoured to be living in Margate, sat outside the cafe to be with his dog.

Mr Ezekiel added: "We get so many people who think they are going to eat it, we thought it was just going to be another case of that.

(Image: Dalby Cafe)

“He wolfed two thirds of it down in six or seven minutes. Usually we get people who eat quite a lot of it at first, but then they hit the wall and they can’t go on anymore.

“He surprised everyone. He smashed it. He finished it in under 20 minutes as well so he got it for free.”

The Dalby Cafe has been open since 1946 and is believed to be Margate's oldest cafe.

Margate FC

Earlier this month the band announced they will become Margate Football Club's headline shirt sponsors for the 2018/19 season.

About the partnership with the band, Margate FC General Manager, Deny Wilson, said: "With little under 24 hours until the new season starts we are thrilled to share the news that one of the world’s most loved bands, The Libertines, will be our shirt sponsors this season.

“It’s a pioneering partnership and one we firmly believe will be a huge hit with supporters at Hartsdown Park, residents across Thanet and music fans across the world.

“We’ve got a series of exciting things lined up and truly believe we can work together to help showcase Margate to as large an audience as possible.

"We look forward to welcoming the band to watch games and there’s no doubt they’ll get a warm reception from fans!”

“I would also like to thank Artist Luke McClean and Author Neal Heard who both helped inspire this collaboration.”

The Albion Rooms hotel

As well as helping out the local football team, the indie band have taken over a dilapidated Cliftonville hotel soon to become a new recording studio.

Known as The Albion Rooms hotel, the venue occupies a five storey ten room Victorian building which was formerly home to Palm Court Hotel.

As well as a recording studio, The Albion Rooms will also feature a bar and of course, hotel rooms.

As part of a crowdfunding effort by the band to complete the renovations, fans were able to purchase personalised studio bricks for a "unique chance to be immortalised into Libertines history".

The hotel was snapped up by The Libertines in last August for around £450,000, with the bar due to open in September.