Boy George, the DJ and former leader of 1980’s British pop group Culture Club, says he makes no apologies for his behaviour, despite spending time in prison and doing community service for various criminal charges.

The 48-year-old “Karma Chameleon” singer was first arrested for heroin possession back in 1986. In 2005, he was taken in by police for suspected cocaine possession and falsely reporting a break-in. Then in 2008, he was again arrested on assault and false imprisonment charges, after a controversial night with former male escort Audun Carlsen. Having spent four months in HMP Edmunds Hill before being released in May last year, the singer now says he won’t be influenced by the media to say sorry.
“I think that is terribly sanctimonious. I’ve already been to trial. I’ve paid my price,” Boy George (real name George O’Dowd) insisted to The New Review. “Why should I have to explain myself to anybody, let alone seek their forgiveness? Ever since I’ve come out, I’ve had nothing but affection, everyone from the doorman at The Dorchester Hotel to taxi drivers. None of them have expected me to apologise. They just all seem really glad that I’m out, and that I’m back. It’s made me realise that people do care for me. And before you ask, yes, I am grateful for that. I am.”

The good flipside to his actions, says the singer, is that he’s “grown up”. “All that has happened is that my desire for drama is greatly diminished,” Boy George believes.

“And it’s a relief to be able to say that.”