No visa, Boy George cancels U.S. dates

LOS ANGELES, England, June 24 (UPI) -- British pop singer Boy George has been forced to cancel his upcoming North American concerts because he can't get a U.S. visa, his representatives said.

A posting on the singer's official Web site said: "Boy George cannot come to the United States of America because he has been refused permission to enter by the USA Administration. This is not in respect of anything he has done in the past but because he is facing a trial in November in London for something that happened in April last year."

The 1980s "Karma Chameleon" pop star, reportedly has battled an addiction to drugs for years. George is awaiting trial in London on charges of false imprisonment stemming from an incident in which he allegedly chained a male escort to a wall in his apartment. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

"I am getting my life together and was really looking forward to performing in concert for all my loyal fans," George said in a statement on the Web site. "I love America and I am really sad that it appears that I am not allowed to visit a place I have called home at various times in my life."