He may quit Britain to escape media attention but says of the time he was caught cruising on Hampstead Heath: "Believe me, I think that the sex I have is worth being in the paper for!"

The star attributed his erratic behaviour to an attention-seeking and "self-destructive" impulse brought on by the death of his mother a decade ago.

George made the series of startling confessions in an interview with Michael Parkinson.

Earlier this month he pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs after he was found slumped over the wheel of his car.

Explaining the cause of the incident, the former Wham! star said: "It involves prescribed drugs and it involves a dependency on them, and the tendency to chase one drug with another because of side effects."

He added that he could not say more because legal proceedings are still ongoing. He will be sentenced at Brent Magistrates’ Court in north-west London on May 30.

The arrest was one of a string of bizarre episodes in recent years which have left fans worried for the 43-year-old star’s wellbeing.

Asked by Parky if his "childish behaviour" was a bid to court publicity, George admitted: "Well, I have to ask myself, don’t I?

"I know I have a very self-destructive tendency since my mother died, I have got to be honest."

George kicks off European tour - May 18 2007
George Michael will kick off his European tour tonight with a show in Denmark.

The star is playing at the Aarhus Stadium - three weeks before he becomes the first artist to play at the new Wembley Stadium in London.

The UK leg of his 25 Live 2007 Tour will also take in Manchester, Glasgow, Plymouth and Norwich.

He is also set to visit France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Holland and Hungary.

George has previously played several high-profile concerts at Wembley, including Live Aid in 1985 and the Wham! farewell concert with Andrew Ridgeley in 1986.

Earlier this month, the star said he was "very ashamed" as he pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs.

The 43-year-old singer admitted the charge on the first day of his trial at Brent Magistrates’ Court in north west London, saying he was guilty of the offence due to "tiredness and prescribed drugs".

The star was arrested in Cricklewood on October 1 last year after motorists reported a car obstructing the road at traffic lights.

Police found the singer slumped at the wheel of his Mercedes.

He was previously cautioned in the February for possessing cannabis after being found slumped in his car in the early hours of the morning near Hyde Park.

George admits drug-driving charge - May 8 2007
Pop star George Michael today pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs.

The 43-year-old singer admitted the charge on the first day of his trial at Brent Magistrates’ Court.

A further charge of being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs on October 1 last year was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.