Boy George: Royal life is cruel

(Cover) - EN Music - Boy George claims Britain's Prince George's life "borders on child cruelty".

The Culture Club singer has some strong views on the royal family and the roles they play.

Although he likes newborn George's father Prince William and has fond memories of meeting the late Princess Diana, he worries about the life in store for the new arrival.

"It's very sweet when anyone has a child, and I know this sounds controversial, but it's bordering on child cruelty when you think about what he's going to go through," he tells Q magazine.

"I've always felt the royal family should do a bit more. They say people come to England to see the queen but whoever sees the queen? I'd encourage more pomp. If we're going to have a royal family let's do it properly."

George believes reality TV is another institution doing a disservice to the country.

In particular, George is against Big Brother, despite the fact he was once on the verge of entering the famous house.

"For a nanosecond I was offered a million pounds," he said. "I was on curfew, wearing a tag and I couldn't work so I wasn't making any money. But my mum said, 'If you go in the Big Brother house I'll disown you.'

"Those programmes normalise everyone. Of course, I'm a normal person, David Bowie is a normal person, everyone is, but maybe you shouldn't let people know that."

In 2009 Boy George went to jail for falsely imprisoning a male escort.

He has now cleaned up his life, lost weight and follows Buddhism.

"The last time I did drugs I was thoroughly miserable but I couldn't stop myself. This is the curse of being an addict," he said.

"You do something that is thoroughly unpleasant and you keep doing it. The difference between now and then is I know I'm an addict now."