Saturday December 6, 2008 – The Pogues kick-start their annual festive tour at King's Hall in Belfast. However, even by his own high standards, singer Shane MacGowan is looking terrible. Bloodied, gaunt, snot encrusted and showing off his worn down gums, Shane even got a pack of pills out during the performance presumably to keep him going. Click through to see the worryingly haggard Shane MacGowan in action...
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- Picture 6 is absolutely disgusting!! Urgh!!

- Once more the gutter press tell us how Shane is dying! The cuts look like the result of a poor shave.Shane is always pale and gaunt.Has been for 30 years.You have no hard facts so you "presume" the tablets are "to keep him going".Great presumptious journalism! Did you bother to mention that the gig was great? Have you ever seen a Pogues show before.Ever seen Shane live before? Regardless of his appearance,Shane earns his money, which is more than what can be said for you. Off

- Have you lot nothing better to do than stick a camera up a mans nose all night? If you stick a camera up my nose you are sure to find a few crackers.Typical hysterical tabloid fare on offer here. I can picture the editorial meeting.."right lads, the Pogues are in town..I want a juicy story..I dont care how they sound..how the crowd enjoyed it..dont care about the atmosphere..just give me a story about how MacGowan is on his last legs" Answer this..were you at the gig?

On the upside, I bet he gives a cracking blowey.
- Saw the Pogues in Birmingham on Monday. This was, undoubtedly, their best performance of the last few years. A mind blowing night. MacGowan looks as he always does. Your caption refers to him as looking 'gaunt'. No he doesn't. He looks healthier than I've seen him for a few years. Still, no need to let the facts get in the way of a good story.

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