In a world of stage-managed celebrity interviews, Boy George is always good value and he’s Russell Davies’s guest as he wraps up the latest series of The Art of Artists (Radio 2).

As a former rent-a-quote type, George claims he no longer has to share everything about himself, so he comes across as relaxed and revealing. “People like my honesty. When I’m sane, I’m very much myself,” he says, before adding a knowing: “I’ve had moments.”

Back in the 80s, George’s parent-bothering penchant for dressing up wasn’t driven by a desire to become a celebrity, but “youthful belligerence”. “I was aware that the things that I did bothered people, but that only spurred me on even more,” he says. “The more I dressed up, the more people reacted … the more I wanted to do it.”

Comfortable ground is covered as he talks about his music. He nailed the vocal for Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? in one take – and he knew it. It only took a day in the studio with the Pet Shop Boys to make The Crying Game. “I worked until my throat bled,” he says. “I wasn’t going back.”

Mega-hit Karma Chameleon doesn’t get a spin today. “I like that song,” he says, without pretence. “It makes people happy.” But the songs that do get played are beauties. Bow Down Mister pops up like an old friend who has weathered well, then there’s Time (Clock of the Heart). It’s a reminder for those who only know George for his giant hats and quips on The Voice that the boy can make a monster of a tune.

George has that “nothing’s off-limits” reputation, but that’s not true now he’s older and wiser. Davies broaches the subject of his prison sentence and gets a straightforward rebuff. “At some point, probably not now, unfortunately for you, I will address that whole thing,” says George, shutting the subject down. He’s eight years sober now and says that taking drugs was “the thing I was the worst at”.

“I’m a much more successful and happier person sober,” he says. “And I’m nicer to be around.”