Pete Burns’ funeral is to be paid for by Boy George, according to reports.
The Dead Or Alive singer’s death was announced last Monday (24 October), and a send-off is currently being arranged by Pete’s ex-wife Lynne, and his husband, Michael.
However, it’s believed that money issues threatened to throw a spanner in the works, with a source telling The Sun: “When George got wind of this, he offered to pay for the whole thing straight away.
“He told Lynne not to worry and said he would take care of it. He thinks she and Michael [her husband] have enough on their plates and wanted to take this concern away from them.
“It is a very generous gesture – and typical of George. As soon as he heard there was a problem he did not hesitate to sort it out.
“He was devastated by the news and Pete was a great friend of his. And it is strangely fitting that one Eighties legend should help out another in this way.”
The Culture Club frontman was one of the first celebrities to pay tribute to Pete following his death, writing on Twitter: “Tearful about the passing of @PeteBurnsICON he was one of our great true eccentrics and such a big part of my life! Wow. Hard to believe!”
Other tributes came from celebrities including Jake Shears, Dermot O’Leary and Davina McCall.