Music: Boy George tells of hearing tragic news

Boy George has said that hearing the news of George Michael’s death left him “heartbroken”.

Comparing the late Wham! singer’s death to those of Prince and David Bowie, he said it was hard to accept an artist was gone when they had more to give.

Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, The Culture Club frontman, 57, said he had been close to Michael in the early and late years of his career.

He said: “(We were friends) in the early days and then during the really successful years we were too busy to hang out with each other. Then eventually more towards the end of his life I got more friendly with him.

“George’s journey and my journey, it’s not the same but I really was heartbroken when he went.

“Prince, George Michael, David Bowie of course, it’s always heartbreaking because you know those people have got so much more to do and you’re excited about what they could do.

I’m here.”

George, who formed Culture Club in 1981, said people expected him to be “bitchy” and difficult to work with but were shocked by his “friendly” nature.

George, whose group released Life last month, its first album in 20 years, said his attitude to performing had changed since the band’s heyday.

He added: “There were times in my career if I was in a bad mood I considered it part of my artistic integrity to make everybody in the theatre in a bad mood.

“I was just being real and I realised that doesn’t really work because people have paid good money to see you so now when I walk on stage it’s almost like a sacred space for me because I really respect it.

“The fact I’ve still got it and the fact I can travel around the world and people come and see me and shower me with love and affection, that’s awesome.”

George Michael died of natural causes as the result of a fatty liver on Christmas morning in 2016. I’m very glad