Boy George will perform a free concert for his former co-workers — New York's street cleaners.

The one-time Culture Club singer who now earns his keep as a celebrity DJ will play for the city's Department of Sanitation employees as a way of returning the good will they showed him during his community service.

Two years ago the singer, born George O'Dowd, was ordered to perform sanitation duties in the city to avoid drug possession charges.

Over 500 people are expected to attend the department's 17 August annual family day where George will perform.

"The people I worked alongside showed great kindness to me at a very difficult time, and I wanted to thank them all in a way that would show my appreciation," he said.

During George's first day on the streets the paparazzi hounded him to such an extent that the department moved him to a fenced off area out of photographers' reach.

"'New York's Strongest' are delighted that Boy George will join us at our Family Day outing in August and perform some of his fabulous hits for our hard-working men and women and their families," said First Deputy Commissioner Michael A. Bimonte.

"Keeping New York City safe and clean is a daunting challenge — as Boy George well knows — and we welcome his generous offer to entertain those who have made our City the cleanest it has been in more than 30 years."