Boy George hits the road

The Culture Club singer, who has been ordered to do community punishment, lasted less then five minutes on his first day after hitting out at the press.

Officials at the Department of Sanitation decided to take him off the street and make him work at HQ, citing "safety issues". Sanitation deputy chief Albert Durrell said the star had not requested the move.

George, 45, dressed in a bright orange workman's bib, was mobbed by cameramen as he arrived for his five-day community service punishment.

The singer grabbed his broom and swept leaves at TV crews and photographers.

"I just want to do what I have to do and go home," he said. "How am I supposed to do this with you guys hanging around?"

The star, whose real name is George O'Dowd, was then asked how he felt about doing his punishment. "I don't feel anything, no - I think you are pathetic," he said.

"Do you think there is something wrong with sweeping the streets? Get a f***ing life. You think you are better than me?

"My mum was a cleaner, my dad was a builder, you know what I mean? I don't give a f**k, go home. I didn't ask you to be here.

"Let me do my community service. That's what I'm here for, this is supposed to be making me humble - let me do this."

George was ordered to carry out the punishment after pleading guilty to falsely reporting a break-in at his Lower Manhattan apartment last year.

Police found no sign of a break-in, but they did discover cocaine. The drug charges were dropped in exchange for his guilty plea to the lesser count.

Under the pleas deal, he was also sentenced to complete a drugs programme in Britain.

He is due back in court on 28 August.