WEST Dorset played host to pop icon Boy George.

The star, who is now renowned as one of the world’s top DJs headlined the HoneyTrap Disco at the Electric Palace in Bridport.

More than 350 people attended the event, with the worldwide icon taking to stage just after 11pm and playing music for more than two hours as he entertained the crowds with the house and dance music that he has become renowned for.

Boy George has been in the music industry since the late 1970s, recording number one hits with his band the Culture Club, such as ‘Karma Chameleon’ and ‘Do You Really Want to Hurt Me’, and has been DJ-ing all over the world for 25 years.

Speaking before he went on stage, Boy George said: “Wherever we go we enjoy ourselves and wherever we are we do have a good time, and I know tonight will be the same.

“I play all different types of places and venues and I always look forward to everything I do. It is not a question of size. The question is always do we have a party and are the crowd having a good time, and if they are then I’m happy because I just want to see everyone party.

“I have just been to Miami at a big venue, and the big difference between the USA and the UK is that people in the States only dance when the record drops, whereas over here the UK crowds just dance the whole time, and I much prefer that. I’m from the old school of dancing where you just get into it all the time.”

He has recently released his latest studio album, called This is What I Do, his first album for 18 years. He said: “I have been DJ-ing for 25 years now as my other job, and I felt the time was right to do another record.

“It feels fresh and exciting and it is something I really wanted to do, and there was no pressure from record companies as it was released from my own label and it is a very different time in music now.”

For upcoming musicians, Boy George did have some words of advice. He said: “I always say try to be different but also do what you want to do.

“We have quite a familiar pop scene where everyone sounds like each other and you get championed for doing someone else’s work and criticised for doing something a bit different.

“You have got to stay true to yourself and true to what you’re about, and most importantly make a record you love.”

Local DJ Johnny Slut, a longtime friend of Boy George persuaded him to headline the gig and invited him to his home in Symondsbury beforehand.

Boy George added: “I would always come back to Bridport and the Palace if I was invited, it’s lovely. Johnny has been inviting us down here for a long time and the jam he was making was delicious, so I definitely want to try some more of it.”

It was obvious to everyone that Boy George was having as much fun as the packed dance floor, and after the event he said on Twitter that Bridport had “rocked over Miami.”