Slash has learned to accept his trademark stage attire has turned him into a "cartoon character".

The former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist has been thrilling fans of his leather-clad, top hat wearing live persona for nearly two decades - and he admits followers of his current band Velvet Revolver would be disappointed if he ditched his famous look.

He says, "I really am a cartoon character. Like I'll take the top hat out onstage and it gets more response than I do.

"That cartoon character thing is just a reality I've come to terms with and it's always been like that ever since I was a kid. I've always got weird looks, and at this point it doesn't feel all bad."

14/01/2005 19:43