Boy George, Mikey Craig, Roy Hay and Jon Moss of Culture Club photographed backstage at a an Essex club gig the night before the band scored their first UK no1 hit with 'Do You Really Want To Hurt Me' in September 1982.

The androgynous looking 21-year-old Boy George at a photo session in November 1982. George was born George Alan O'Dowd in London on June 14, 1961. He took inspiration for his image from 70s glam rockers like David Bowie.

George photographed shortly before the release of the band's second number one smash 'Karma Chameleon'. It stayed at the top spot in the UK for six weeks and was Culture Club's first and only American number one. Culture Club split in 1986 as feuds broke out within the group.

A blonde haired Boy George in May 1987. Just a year earlier he was arrested for heroin possession in a police sting called 'Operation Culture'. George was battling the demons of his heroin addiction for a large part of the 80s.

After kicking his heroin addictions, George pursued a solo career in the 90s. He failed to replicate the success of Culture Club, however. The above album, 1995's 'Cheapness and Beauty', was a commercial flop.

Wearing one of his trademark hats in 1995. Later that year George was in court fighting a case against an ex lover called Kirk Brandon. The case was over George's biography 'Take It Like A Man' where he revealed details of their relationship. Brandon claimed it was a “malicious falsehood” but was eventually defeated in court.

Boy George at the Gay Pride March in London in the summer of 1997.

Looked a bit wasted at a club with Dannii Minogue in 1998. Despite having no success as a solo artist, at this time George became a successful house DJ performing at clubs around the globe.

Sporting a bizarre dreadlocks look at a party in Monaco in 1998.

At the turn of the century, George's looks became more and more gregarious and experimental. Here he is on US television in 2001.

Another US chat show in 2002.

Boy George at Amanda Lepore's Birthday Bash at Buckingham, Plaid Nightclub in New York.

The singer leaving a posh London restaurant in early 2005 without a hat on and showing off his tattoos. Earlier that year he had appeared on the Mercury Music Prize winning album by Antony & Johnsons, 'I Am A Bird Now'.

Boy George at the 2006 Brit Awards at Earls Court, London. He appeared at the ceremony with singer Amanda Ghost who he had written the track 'Time Machine' for.

On October 7, 2005 after falsely reporting a burglary at his New York apartment, police found cocaine on the premises. In June of the following year, a warrant was issued for his arrest after the singer failed to appear in court. Later that summer he was ordered to clean the streets of New York for wasting police time.

Boy George on the catwalk at the 2007 London fashion week.

On 30 April 2007, Boy George was arrested for allegedly assaulting and falsely imprisoning a Norwegian man, Audun Carlson, in his home on Ravey Street in East London. In November of that year he was charged after it was alleged he chained the man to a radiator.

On December 5, 2008 he was found guilty of false imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown. He faces sentencing on January 16, 2009 and has been warned he faces a prison sentence.

Boy George arriving at Snaresbrook Crown Court on January 16, 2009 for sentencing. He is sentenced to 15 months in prison for falsely imprisoning male escort Audun Carlson in his home. The judge said his actions were “premeditated” and “callous” and that he had “traumatised” his victim. His fall from grace is complete.