(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Boy George says staying away from drink and drugs for the past two years is the best thing he has ever achieved.

The singer-and-DJ - real name George ODowd - has had a high-profile battle with drugs, and has been to prison. He served four months of a 15-month sentence for the assault and false imprisonment of a male escort in his London apartment last year, and used the time inside to re-evaluate his life.

The former Culture Club frontman swore he would beat his addictions to drink and drugs after his release and is proud of his progress.

"It's the best thing I ever did. Once you have sort of made the decision to stop, he said on a British talk show.

It depends where it takes you. When you tell people you don't drink, it freaks people out. They really try to make you drink. When you stop and see how it makes people behave, you think, 'I'm so glad I am sober'."

George, 49, is about to embark on a tour of the UK with fellow 80s singers such as Jason Donovan and Belinda Carlisle. He has revealed he doesnt envy the fledgling singers trying to find fame on television talent shows. Although he enjoys watching programmes like X Factor he insists they become about more than just the music.

What youve got to remember about X Factor is that its a TV show and its primarily about a TV show. A lot of those people youre saying are going to embark on a career wont itll be one or two, he told ITN.

I think X Factor is really not necessarily about the music you see stuff in the papers about the best people not getting through because they look for people with an interesting story, a bit of tragedy.

I do find it entertaining I cry, I laugh, I get angry but I see it for what it is, a TV show. (C) Cover Media