If I had to pick one star who was destined for an early death, I would never have chosen Hutchence, despite his obvious love of the high life, the relentless drug rumours and the early morning police raid at Paula’s pad. I have been trying to make sense of it ever since I heard the shocking news. I’m honestly very distressed. I had known Michael casually for several years. He was friendly and sociable and I liked him very much. He was one of those people you meet and feel that you’ve known for ever. The last time I saw him was at a Versace fashion dinner. He came and sat at our table and introduced himself to the guests. My young friend Benny, who lives and works in the real world, laughed and said: ‘I think we all know who you are!’ Hutchence played the big pop star on stage and in the media but one-to-one he was a very sweet, normal man. With his band INXS, he also made some timeless music – like the brilliant and funky Need You Tonight with its haunting chant, ‘I’m lonely, cause I’m not sleeping.’ How sad that someone so young, handsome and talented has died in this way.
Boy George