Boy George has been released from jail today after serving less than a third of a 15 month sentence for imprisoning a rent boy.

Looking slimmer and healthier than when he was sentenced, the bearded singer was in jovial spirits as he left Edmunds Hill Prison in Suffolk, saluting to the waiting press.

The Eighties icon was released just 4 months into his sentence because of good behaviour, but will wear a monitoring tag and be under curfew for the coming months.

The 47-year-old must also regularly report to a probation officer under his release conditions.

George was sentenced on January 16 after being found guilty of handcuffing Audun Carlsen to a radiator in his bedroom in April 2007.

At the time Judge David Radford told George he was guilty of "gratuitous violence". He added that the actions were "premeditated" and "callous", and had "traumatised" Carlsen.

(by Scott Colothan)