Fame a figment of people's imagination, says Boy George

Boy George believes fame "is a figment of other people's imaginations".

The 63-year-old music star, best known as the lead singer of the pop band Culture Club, has suggested it isn't a real thing.

"Fame is a figment of other people's imaginations. You're only famous because other people believe you are," he told Sky News.

The singer had a "real problem" with fame during his younger years. But the Karma Chameleon hitmaker - whose real name is George O'Dowd - now considers what he does to be "just a job".

"I think of Boy George from the '80s as a sort of cartoon character," he said.

"Because on the one hand, there was this public persona, which was one thing, and it was very recognisable. And then there was me behind it ... I used to have a real problem with (fame) and I feel now I'm like, it's just a job."

The chart-topping pop star acknowledged his relationship with fame has evolved during the course of his career.

"I never really took it that seriously. There were moments when I lost my mind - we all know what they were. But I always kind of knew who I was."

Boy George also revealed he was fiercely competitive in the 1980s and recalled clashing with Madonna during that time.

He acknowledged there was never a warm relationship between the two but he is still a big fan of the pop icon.

"Over the years we sort of met each other, but there's never been any kind of warmth necessarily on either side," he said.

"But I am a fan ... with me, if I like the music, I don't necessarily have to be best friends with the person ... I can like things without being petty."

The singer's popularity peaked in the 80s, but he still enjoys making music.

"A lot of stuff I release, no one really hears of it unless they're like a mad hardcore fan," he said.

"I've released 54 tracks in the last year, probably more than any other artist. And I will continue to keep putting stuff out and being creative because it feels like breathing, you know, it feels really enjoyable and I feel lucky that I get to do the thing I love."