Boy George has channelled fellow south London star David Bowie to provide some words of wisdom to Liam Payne after the One Direction singer moaned about the perils of fame.

Liam, who with his 1D bandmates is set for the number one spot this week with new single Drag Me Down, was unhappy about being hounded while out and about in New York.

The 21-year-old singer complained on Twitter, posting: “Why is it that in New York people think it’s ok to swear and shout horrible things at you in the street…”

George, 54, from Eltham, knows a thing or two about worldwide stardom having hit the big time with Culture Club in the 1980s.

He replied to Liam with some lines borrowed from the 1975 number one song Fame from Beckenham’s David Bowie, which was a bitter, ironical take on being famous.

George wrote: “Fame, what you like is in the limo! Fame, what you get is no tomorrow!”

Other lyrics include: “Fame, puts you there where things are hollow”, and “Fame, it’s not your brain, it’s just the flame / That burns your change to keep you insane”.

It seems Liam isn’t too jaded about the boyband’s ongoing popularity - he was recently praising Directioners for being the “best fans” in the world.