Club bans Boy George over fight

Boy George has been banned from a gay club in Soho after knocking out a manager in a fistfight - the second time he has floored a man in bare-knuckle dust-up in the last two days.

The former Culture Club frontman - who in recent years has made a fortune as a superstar DJ at club residencies around the world - was thrown out of Wardour Street's Sweet Suite club after a fight in which he punched a duty manager unconscious.

The club's manager said: "We are in talks with our lawyers at the moment, who have instructed us not to say anything."

Sources at the popular gay club said 41-year-old Boy George - real name George Alan O'Dowd - will never be allowed back on the premises again.

One said: "George is quite the gay clubbing icon, but he was in quite a bad way that night - in a real hissy fit - and just really struck out. He's quite a strong guy, and one of the members of staff from the club just went flying. He went unconscious straight away.

"George has always been welcome here in the past - but we can't have people carrying on like that here." Trouble flared after the DJ - who was not wearing his trademark hat and has shaved his head - was not recognised as he tried to get into the club's VIP room, the source said. Police were not involved.

The fracas came the day after Boy George is alleged to have struck another man in Leicester Square after coming off stage performing in Taboo - the stage musical of his life now showing in the West End.

Boy George told the Standard last night: "No comment - talk to my lawyers". His lawyers, Clintons of London, were not available for comment.