GEORGE MICHAEL - GEORGE MICHAEL IS A 'FAME ADDICT', CLAIMS EX-MANAGER

GEORGE MICHAEL's former manager has laughed off the pop star's claims he's sick of being in the public eye, insisting the British singer is addicted to fame.

SIMON NAPIER BELL, who managed 80s band WHAM! believes the controversial star is obsessed with grabbing headlines, and the announcement was a publicity stunt in itself.

The music mogul, who managed bands such as THE YARDBIRDS, MARC BOLAN and JAPAN, says: "George called a press conference with 100 journalists to tell them he didn't like being in the public eye. He's an addict.

"He's addicted to the attention and hates the intrusion it causes - like any addict. It's like hating the result of taking heroin and intending never to take it again - he just can't resist going back and getting attention again.

"But to announce to 100 people that you are no longer going to be in the public eye sounds to me like a week's work in the public eye."