George Michael believes the world is 'going mental'

George Michael believes the world is "going mental".

The 45-year-old singer has decided to give up touring because he hates the crazy life which goes with being a high-profile pop star. He said: "It's becoming more and more strange to be in the public eye. The world's going mental and I don't want to be in the thick of it."

Yesterday (12.06.08), it was announced Michael will stage two concerts at London's Earls Court in August, which have been named 'The Final Two', and are being billed as his "last ever UK arena shows".

The concerts will bring to an end George's '25 Live' tour, which started in Barcelona in September 2006 and marked his first tour for 15 years. Michael explained: "The main reason is because I'm 45 and music should be about youth culture. It shouldn't be an endurance test."

In an apparent reference to his well-publicised battle with prescription drugs and marijuana use, the 'Careless Whisper' singer added he hoped to "stay away from my own idiocy" and "try and behave".

Last May, Michael was banned from driving for two years and sentenced to community service after pleading guilty to driving while unfit through drugs. He later admitted his marijuana use was a problem, and claimed he was "constantly trying" to limit his use of the drug.