George Michael denies bullying claim

LONDON, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- British pop star George Michael is denying media reports claiming he is being bullied at the Suffolk prison where he is serving a sentence for drug offenses.

Michael, 47, was arrested after he crashed his car into a Snappy Snaps photo kiosk in London last July. He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison after he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and possession of cannabis.

"Much as I would prefer to rise above the usual rubbish that I'm reading day after day about my time here in prison, I think it's only fair to my fans, family and friends to respond in some way even though I will be home soon," Michael said in a statement issued to the BBC.

"So please believe me when I tell you that in the last three weeks, there have been no tears, no anxiety, no bullying -- in fact, not so much as a sleepless night for me," the recording star added. "On the contrary, I've been treated with kindness by fellow inmates and prison staff alike and, as far as I can tell, have received no special treatment of any kind whatsoever, unless, of course, some of the guys here are letting me win at the pool table.

"Most of my days have been spent reading thousands of letters and post cards of incredible support from people around the world. I promise to repay their kindness with new music as soon as I possibly can."