Boy George has withdrawn from Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium, days before he was due to begin his run as King Herod. The singer had been scheduled to play the role from 3 to 15 August 2026 as part of the production’s rotating cast.
His manager, Paul Kemsley, announced the news in a statement on social media: “After careful consideration, I have decided, in my capacity as Boy George’s manager, that he will no longer be appearing in Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium. The decision has been made with the utmost respect for the producers, the creative team and the entire company.”
Kemsley did not give an explicit reason for the withdrawal, though the announcement follows recent controversy surrounding a song Boy George released this week. Addressing fans who had bought tickets hoping to see him perform, Kemsley said: “We also recognise that many people purchased tickets in the hope of seeing George perform. To those fans, we offer our sincere apologies for the disappointment this decision may cause, and we are deeply grateful for their continued loyalty and support.”
He added: “George has never been afraid to stand by his personal convictions, and I have always respected him for that. Equally, I believe it is my responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interests of my artist while also showing respect to others. In this instance, I felt it was right to step aside, allowing the production to remain the focus, while ensuring everyone involved can move forward with mutual respect and goodwill.”
Richard Armitage, who is currently playing Herod in the production’s celebrity rotation, is set to cover Boy George’s dates. Jesus Christ Superstar continues at the London Palladium until 5 September 2026, before transferring to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in October.
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Jesus Christ Superstar – London Palladium
London Palladium, London
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📷 Main photo: Boy George – credit Dan Stockings
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