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Culture Club Reunion: Boy George's Band Put Differences Behind Them After 15 Years

Culture Club Announce Reunion Plans
The Huffington Post UK

After a 15 year break, Boy George’s band Culture Club have announced that they are reuniting and will be heading off on tour this December.

The band have also just spent three weeks in the studio recording their first album since 1999.

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Cullture Club

The band opened up to The Mirror about their decision to reform and put all their issues behind them.

One of the band’s main troubles was the secret four year affair Boy George had with drummer Jon Moss, however the pair seem confident that their former relationship won’t get in the way of the reunion.

“We’ve transcended our relationship I think,” George told the paper.

Jon and his wife, with whom he had three children, split in 2010 and he insists it’s better to maintain good relationships with all previous flames.

“I get on with my ex very well now – it’s the same thing,” Jon said. “Most people should be friends with their ex-lovers.

“Unless something truly terrible has happened, you have to be friends eventually, otherwise it negates why you were together in the first place.”

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Boy George

“We’re exactly as we’ve always been, just getting comfortable with each other again,” George added. “I’m very friendly with my ex-boyfriend Michael too. We are very, very close, he’s like a brother and we go on holiday together. Some people think it’s weird but I don’t.”

George and Jon’s volatile relationship saw a number of heated exchanges between the pair, including one incident where George launched an attack.

“He tried to kill me with a plant pot, seriously, from two storeys up, by dropping it on my head,” Jon revealed. “ I tried to smoke him out and set fire to him one evening, but it wasn’t very good.”

Since the band's first break-up in 1986, Goeroge has struggled with a number of personal issues, including drug addiction, arrest and weight gain, making it impossible for him to reform the band.

“I was awful,” he said, in reference to their 1999 attempt at a reunion. “I’m much nicer now. I wasn’t really ready for it.”

In the years since his 2008 arrest for assault, the singer has cleaned up his act and debuted his incredible weight loss at the WhatsOnStage.com Awards 2013.

Boy George's last solo album was released in late 2013 and shortly after its release he told the Huff Post UK about how fans react when they see him nowadays.

“I can walk about, I have a beard, I’m skinny," he told us. “My fans are sweet, they’re so relieved I’m still here. I saw someone mouthing the other day, ‘That’s not Boy George.’ I went up to him and told him it was. He was amazed."

The tour kicks off in Glasgow on 1 December 2014 and will see the band play at venues including London’s O2 Arena and The NIA in Birmingham.

Boy George Photos
The BRIT Awards 2014 - Red Carpet Arrivals(01 of38)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Singer Boy George attends The BRIT Awards 2014 at 02 Arena on February 19, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The BRIT Awards 2014 - Red Carpet Arrivals(02 of38)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Singer Boy George attends The BRIT Awards 2014 at 02 Arena on February 19, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Worldview Entertainment Cannes Celebration - The 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival(03 of38)
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CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 17: Boy George performs at the Worldview Entertainment Cannes Celebration during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Carlton Beach Club on May 17, 2013 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for Worldview Entertainment) (credit:Getty Images)
Worldview Entertainment Cannes Celebration - The 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival(04 of38)
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CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 17: Boy George performs at the Worldview Entertainment Cannes Celebration during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Carlton Beach Club on May 17, 2013 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for Worldview Entertainment) (credit:Getty Images)
Brit Awards 2013 - Red Carpet Arrivals(05 of38)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Boy George attends the Brit Awards 2013 at the 02 Arena on February 20, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
British singer Boy George poses during a(06 of38)
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British singer Boy George poses during a photocalll of the International Rome film Festival in Rome on 27 October 2011. AFP PHOTO/ TIZIANA FABI (Photo credit should read TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Vivienne Westwood: Front Row - Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012(07 of38)
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PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 04: Antoine de Caunes, Boy George and Bryce Aime attend the Vivienne Westwood Ready to Wear Autumn/Winter 2011/2012 show during Paris Fashion Week at Pavillon Concorde on March 4, 2011 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Diversity Role Models(08 of38)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 25: Boy George attends the Diversity Role Models event to raise awareness of homophobic bullying in schools at Centrepoint on October 25, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Boy George Event - 6th International Rome Film Festival(09 of38)
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ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 27: Boy George DJs at the Disaronno Lounge during the 6th International Rome Film Festival on October 27, 2011 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Prince's Trust Rock Gala 2011 - Backstage(10 of38)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Boy George poses backstage at the Prince's Trust Rock Gala 2011 at Royal Albert Hall on November 23, 2011 in London, England. The gala, sponsored by Novae, raises vital funds for the youth charity's work with disadvantaged young people. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Taboo: The Boy George Musical - Photocall(11 of38)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Boy George attends a photocall for 'Taboo - The Boy George Musical' at Brixton Club House on September 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
British singer and musician Boy George a(12 of38)
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British singer and musician Boy George arrives for the British Premiere of the film 'Gnomeo and Juliet', in London's Leicester Square on January 30, 2011. AFP Photo/MAX NASH (Photo credit should read MAX NASH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Etam Fashion Show - Show & Performances - S/S 2011 Collection Launch(13 of38)
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PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 24: Boy George performs during the Etam Fashion Show Spring/Summer 2011 Collection Launch at Grand Palais on January 24, 2011 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images For Etam) (credit:Getty Images)
Vivienne Westwood Red Label Front Row: Spring/Summer 2010 - Fashion Week(14 of38)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Boy George attends the Vivienne Westwood Red Label Fashion Show on September 20, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
British musician George O'Dowd, also kno(15 of38)
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British musician George O'Dowd, also known as Boy George, arrives at Snaresbrook Crown Court, in east London, on January 16, 2009. The singer-turned disc jockey was convicted on December 5 at Snaresbrook Crown Court of detaining Norwegian escort Audun Carlsen, 29, who claimed he was beaten with a metal chain as he tried to escape the musician's flat. Sentencing is expected later Friday. AFP PHOTO/Shaun Curry (Photo credit should read SHAUN CURRY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(FILES) British pop star Boy George leav(16 of38)
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(FILES) British pop star Boy George leaves Thames Magistrates Court in east London, 22 November 2007. British pop star Boy George was found guilty by a court in London on Friday December 5, 2008, of falsely imprisoning an HIV positive Norwegian male escort. AFP PHOTO/CARL DE SOUZA/FILES (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Boy George Performs His Court Ordered Community Service(17 of38)
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NEW YORK - AUGUST 14: Musician Boy George, 45, performs his Court ordered community service on August 14, 2006 in New York City. The singer, born George O'Dowd, was sentenced to five days working for the NY Dept. of Sanitation after falsely reporting a burglary at his Manhattan apartment, where police found a quantity of cocaine. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Boy George Performs His Court Ordered Community Service(18 of38)
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NEW YORK - AUGUST 14: Musician Boy George, 45, performs his Court ordered community service on August 14, 2006 in New York City. The singer, born George O'Dowd, was sentenced to five days working for the NY Dept. of Sanitation after falsely reporting a burglary at his Manhattan apartment, where police found a quantity of cocaine. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
LFW Autumn 2006: B-Rude(19 of38)
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LONDON - FEBRUARY 18: Boy George is seen at his B-Rude Fashion show as part of London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2006/7 in the BFC tent on February 18, 2006 in London. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
LFW Autumn 2006: B-Rude(20 of38)
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LONDON - FEBRUARY 18: Boy George is seen backstage at his B-Rude Fashion show as part of London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2006/7 in the BFC tent on February 18, 2006 in London. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Screening Of "All We Are Saying" At The Tribeca Film Festival(21 of38)
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NEW YORK - APRIL 22: (L-R) Actress Rosanna Arquette with singers Boy George and Sheryl Crow attend the 'All We Are Saying' screening at the Tribeca Film Festival April 22, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
B-Rude By Boy George After Party(22 of38)
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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 06: Boy George attends the B-Rude By Boy George After Party during the Olympus Fashion Week February 6, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Donald Bowers/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Drag Panel Discussion With Boy George And John Cameron Mitchell At The W Union square(23 of38)
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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 4: Musician Boy George attends the Drag Panel Discussion with Boy George and John Cameron Mitchell at the W Hotel November 4, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Around Bryant Park(24 of38)
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 8: Actor Scott Thompson, in character as Daniel Husk, interviews musician Boy George during Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2005 at Bryant Park September 8, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Fernando Leon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MAC Launches New Ad Campaign in New York(25 of38)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: (L-R) Musicians Missy Elliott, Christina Aguilera and Boy George attend the MAC press conference at Gotham Hall during the 2004 Olympus Fashion Week February 11, 2004 in New York. The MAC AIDS Fund named Christina Aguilera, Missy Elliott, Linda Evanelista, Chloe Sevigny and Boy George as the spokepeople for the new VIVA GLAM V lipstick and lipgloss. (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Boy George(26 of38)
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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER OUT) Singer Boy George arrives at the after party for 'Taboo' November 13, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
New Years At The Hudson Hotel In New York(27 of38)
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NEW YORK - DECEMBER 31: Singer Boy George spins records and announces 'New Years!' at Ian Schrager's Hudson Hotel December 31, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Rosie O'Donnell And Boy George(28 of38)
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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER OUT) Comedienne Rosie O'Donnell and singer Boy George arrive at the after party for 'Taboo' November 13, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Boy George(29 of38)
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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER OUT) Singer Boy George (C) takes a bow at the curtain call of his play/musical 'Taboo' November 13, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Boy George Appears on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno(30 of38)
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BURBANK, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: Singer Boy George appears on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' at the NBC Studios on September 26, 2003 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Rosie O'Donnell, Boy George and Jack Black(31 of38)
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BURBANK, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: (L-R) Comedian Rosie O'Donnell, singer Boy George and musician Jack Black appear on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' at the NBC Studios on September 26, 2003 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Boy George at the ICA (32 of38)
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LONDON - AUGUST 12: Singer/actor Boy George poses with a sculpture of performing artist Leigh Bowery, titled 'Ich Bin Kunst' at the ICA, Pall Mall, August 12, 2002 in London, England. Boy George is currently appearing in the West End musical 'Taboo.' (Photo by John Li/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MTV20: Live and Almost Legal-arrivals(33 of38)
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Cyndi Lauper and Boy George arriving for the MTV 20th Anniversary party, 'MTV20: Live and Almost Legal' at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, 8/1/01. Photo by Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect. (credit:Getty Images)
Rock singer Boy George wears a flowerfull shirt of(34 of38)
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PARIS, FRANCE: Rock singer Boy George wears a flowerfull shirt of Jean-Paul Gaultier, 03 July 1993 during the show of the Spring/Summer 93 ready-to-wear collection of the French designer. AFP PHOTO/PIERRE VERDY (Photo credit should read PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(FILES) Eighties pop icons Grace Jones ((35 of38)
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Hong Kong, HONG KONG: (FILES) Eighties pop icons Grace Jones (L) and Boy George (R) have a heated argument in the DJ booth during the all-night 'Unity, The Great Handover Party' - a dance party to celebrate Hong Kong's imminent handover to Chinese rule, 29 June 1997, one day before the handover ceremonies. AFP PHOTO / FILES / JOHN MACDOUGALL (Photo credit should read JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
MTV20: Live and Almost Legal-backstage(36 of38)
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Kid Rock and Boy George backstage at the MTV 20th Anniversary party, 'MTV20: Live and Almost Legal' at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, 8/1/01. Photo by Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect. (credit:Getty Images)
Musicians (L-R) Huey Lewis, Cindy Lauper, and Boy(37 of38)
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NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Musicians (L-R) Huey Lewis, Cindy Lauper, and Boy George arrive for the 'MTV20: Live and Almost Legal' in New York 01 August, 2001. The cable music channel is celebrating its 20th birthday. AFP PHOTO Doug KANTER (Photo credit should read DOUG KANTER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
In this 03 July, 1993, file photo Britis(38 of38)
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Paris, FRANCE: In this 03 July, 1993, file photo British pop star Boy George wears a flower shirt by French designer Jean-Paul Gaultier during the Paris show of the Spring/Summer 93 ready-to-wear collection. Boy George was arrested at his home in New York on 07 October, 2005, and charged with drug possession and making a false report, police said. A police spokesman said officers went to the former Culture Club frontman's apartment in Lower Manhattan shortly after 3:00 am (0700 GMT) when the singer reported a burglary. On arrival, the police determined that no burglary had taken place and also discovered a small stash of cocaine, the spokesman said. The singer, whose real name is George O'Dowd, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and falsely reporting a burglary, he added. AFP PHOTO/PIERRE VERDY/FILKES (Photo credit should read PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

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