By John Stoddart

Real name George Alan O'Dowd, he gained fame with his group Culture Club during the 1980s. Culture Club has the distinction of being the first group since the Beatles to amass at least three top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 from a début album. The group's biggest hit, ‘Karma Chameleon’ became a No1 single in numerous countries around the world, including the US where it stayed at No1 for four weeks.

Boy George was also known for his flamboyant and androgynous appearance back in the 80s and early 90s.