He sings, he wears a hat, he looks like a girl. But is this really the new Boy George?

On the grounds that the real one is sweeping leaves in New York, this young man - who goes by the name of Sam - is the singer who is being billed as the new frontman for the re-formed Culture Club.

Last night he was given a showcase gig in London to demonstrate his talents, sing a few old Culture Club songs - and, judging by the pictures, show off his torso (not to mention his taste in leather accessories).

Sam, whose full name is still to be revealed, joined veteran band members Mikey Craig, Phil Pickett and Jon Moss - the latter had a turbulent four-year affair with Boy George - for the gig at Soho club Too2Much.

One can only hope that the performance went better than Boy George's recent solo concert at the Bush Hall in Shepherd's Bush, which was described in the Evening Standard as a "misguided effort".

Last month Boy George, 45, was sentenced to five days' community service in New York after being convicted of wasting police time for falsely reporting a burglary last year.

After being told he would have to sweep leaves in a New York park the singer - real name George O'Dowd - said: "I don't care about doing cleaning up. My mum was a cleaner. I ' ve always been a scrubber."

Culture Club, who had a string of chart hits in the Eighties including Karma Chameleon and Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? previously reformed with George for a 1998 tour. They also performed a 20th anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall, but since then Boy George has concentrated on his career as a DJ.

Last month the band's record club was spotted placing an advertisement for a new singer.

It read: "The original members of Culture Club are searching for a unique star vocalist with a brilliant voice, boy or girl, to take part in a 2007 World Tour and TV series.

" NOT, repeat NOT a karaoke Boy George 'lookalike' but a charismatic and unique performer in his or her own right with something truly fresh, contemporary and original to offer."