Boy George: ‘Redemption is possible for everyone, even Matt Hancock’ | Life and style

I don’t know what possessed me to do I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! I was glued to the recent South African series, but I kept thinking to myself: bloody hell, it’s a show you watch from the comfort of your own home, not one you actually sign up for. I was rumoured to have been the highest-paid contestant ever, but if I’d known what I’d go through I’d have charged double.

Cooking should be a pleasure, not a stress. I’ve turned down appearing on The Great British Bake Off a few times in the past, because I’d go mad. You’ll never see me on a cooking show or Strictly Come Dancing. I don’t look good in Lycra and my body has its own rhythm – the idea of being told how to move or learn choreographies isn’t interesting to me.

Redemption is possible for everyone: that includes Matt Hancock. It was an interesting experience to share the jungle with him. He is who he is, I’m not for or against him, I don’t dislike him, and I believe as a person you should be redeemed for whatever you’ve done wrong. We are now in a WhatsApp group together with our former campmates, but I’m the worst person ever when it comes to that sort of thing – even with my own family. I’m never on it. I just can’t be bothered.

Art helps me stay creative. I’ve just painted a picture of Meghan Markle looking hugely annoyed at the Queen’s funeral, which I found fun to draw. I’m not a fan of the royals, but my mother adored Diana, Princess of Wales and I’ll never forget when their paths crossed at an event in the 90s. The late Princess of Wales spent 20 minutes speaking to her. I’ll be forever thankful for that.

You’ve got to continually set fresh goals for yourself. In 1984, I won a Grammy for best new artist with Culture Club, but I don’t know where it is. My dear mum [Dinah O’Dowd, who died in March] kept a lot of my awards, so it’s bound to be lying around somewhere. I don’t mean to sound disrespectful or ungrateful for the honour, but I consider it much more interesting what people are doing currently, rather than what they’ve done in the past.

Eating before performing live is the worst idea ever. You should avoid food at all costs before you go on stage. I don’t understand why musicians have riders or why they request all kinds of refreshments before a performance. I’ve seen people demand the most outrageous items. When I’m backstage I always ask, “Why is this food here? I didn’t order it.” My thoughts are: the bigger the rider, the more insecure the person. That goes for handbags, too.

You can occasionally watch me on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. My manager [English businessman] Paul Kemsley and his wife, Dorit, are cast members. I divide some of my time between London and Los Angeles, so I’ve appeared and sung on the show over the years. Although, having said that, we all know the royal family is the best reality show in the world.

I don’t know what possessed me to do I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! I was glued to the recent South African series, but I kept thinking to myself: bloody hell, it’s a show you watch from the comfort of your own home, not one you actually sign up for. I was rumoured to have been the highest-paid contestant ever, but if I’d known what I’d go through I’d have charged double.

Cooking should be a pleasure, not a stress. I’ve turned down appearing on The Great British Bake Off a few times in the past, because I’d go mad. You’ll never see me on a cooking show or Strictly Come Dancing. I don’t look good in Lycra and my body has its own rhythm – the idea of being told how to move or learn choreographies isn’t interesting to me.

Redemption is possible for everyone: that includes Matt Hancock. It was an interesting experience to share the jungle with him. He is who he is, I’m not for or against him, I don’t dislike him, and I believe as a person you should be redeemed for whatever you’ve done wrong. We are now in a WhatsApp group together with our former campmates, but I’m the worst person ever when it comes to that sort of thing – even with my own family. I’m never on it. I just can’t be bothered.

Art helps me stay creative. I’ve just painted a picture of Meghan Markle looking hugely annoyed at the Queen’s funeral, which I found fun to draw. I’m not a fan of the royals, but my mother adored Diana, Princess of Wales and I’ll never forget when their paths crossed at an event in the 90s. The late Princess of Wales spent 20 minutes speaking to her. I’ll be forever thankful for that.

You’ve got to continually set fresh goals for yourself. In 1984, I won a Grammy for best new artist with Culture Club, but I don’t know where it is. My dear mum [Dinah O’Dowd, who died in March] kept a lot of my awards, so it’s bound to be lying around somewhere. I don’t mean to sound disrespectful or ungrateful for the honour, but I consider it much more interesting what people are doing currently, rather than what they’ve done in the past.

Eating before performing live is the worst idea ever. You should avoid food at all costs before you go on stage. I don’t understand why musicians have riders or why they request all kinds of refreshments before a performance. I’ve seen people demand the most outrageous items. When I’m backstage I always ask, “Why is this food here? I didn’t order it.” My thoughts are: the bigger the rider, the more insecure the person. That goes for handbags, too.

You can occasionally watch me on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. My manager [English businessman] Paul Kemsley and his wife, Dorit, are cast members. I divide some of my time between London and Los Angeles, so I’ve appeared and sung on the show over the years. Although, having said that, we all know the royal family is the best reality show in the world.