October 12, 2006 16:30

Boy George: new Culture Club singer is ‘dreadful’

Singer doesn't rate his replacement

Boy George has slammed the performance of Culture Club’s new vocalist.

The 80s star pronounced Sam Butcher’s performance as “dreadful” and “terrible”, after seeing a video of the reformed version of his old band on MySpace.

Speaking to BBC NEWS, George declared: “I wanted to like it but I couldn’t. They’re my songs, they’re my heart, they’re my life.

“To me, the mark of a good band is when someone else can’t successfully sing their songs, and he can’t sing my songs.”

The remaining members of Culture Club recruited Butcher, 29, after Boy George declined to rejoin them.

Culture Club Reborn are set to embark on a UK tour this winter, calling at the following venues:

Manchester University (December 7)
Sheffield University (8)
Harrogate International Conference Centre (10)
Birmingham Symphony Hall (11)
Newcastle City Hall (12)
Glasgow Carling Academy (14)
Aberdeen Music Hall (15)
Liverpool Carling Academy (16)
Brighton Dome (18)
Bristol Carling Academy (19)
Southampton Guildhall (21)
Shepherds Bush Empire (22)

For ticket availability go to NME.COM/Gigs.