BOY George has had to cancel his performance at the Bourne-mouth International Centre next month because of a serious throat infection.

The lead singer with the iconic 80s pop band Culture Club told the Echo: “I’m devastated, but I want to be able to perform to the best of my ability and the specialist has told me that right now that will be impossible.

“I will focus on getting better and see all my fans soon.”

Culture Club was due to play at the BIC on Monday, December 15 with special guest Alison Moyet.

In an official statement, the club’s promoter said: “It is with great sadness [that Culture Club has] had to cancel their December UK tour.

“The tough decision has been made due to lead singer Boy George suffering from a serious throat condition, for which medical treatment is currently under way.”

Ticket holders can claim a refund from their original point of purchase.

If you wish to claim a refund, have purchased your tickets directly from our venue, and made your original payment by credit or debit card, then please call BH Live Tickets on 0844 576 3000 to arrange a full refund to the original card used for purchase.

Culture Club was one of the biggest pop bands of the 1980s and sold in excess of 100 million singles and over 50 million albums.

They were the first group since The Beatles to have three top-10 hits in America from a debut album.