Watch: Boy George walks out of Seven Sharp interview, Christchurch show later cancelled

Toni Street has explained what happened during her "shocking" interview with Boy George, who ripped off his microphone and walked out on the Seven Sharp presenter.

The Culture Club star was talking to Street about his upcoming New Zealand tour, which now includes just a single show at Vector Arena in Auckland on December 4.

The Culture Club star was also scheduled to perform at Christchurch's Horncastle Arena on December 2, but promoter Stewart Macpherson last night said the show had been cancelled "due to changes to the international touring schedule for Culture Club".

Boy George walks out of his interview with Seven Sharp. Photo/TVNZ

In an "exclusive" interview to promote the Auckland show, a seemingly gentle chat with Street soon got fiery when Boy George took off his microphone and ended the interview.

"You know what, why don't you move on to something more helpful, you know what I mean?" he exclaims. "In fact, you know what ... thank you."

He then fumbled around to remove his ear piece and his lapel microphone.

George's response was to a question about his 2009 conviction for assault and falsely imprisoning a male escort.

"I was genuinely shocked when that happened, because we had had such a good interview up until that point," Street told viewers after the interview aired.

"There was nothing that led me to believe that he was even remotely uncomfortable talking about it, and because we'd talked about the immigration issues we felt like it was relevent. It was a real shame because he was very likeable."

When Street's co-presenter Mike Hosking suggested she arrive at the airport with a gift basket for George, she replied: "Somehow I think he's done with me."

George has since tweeted about his "stinking interview" with a New Zealand reporter.

Just did a stinking interview for New Zealand which I ended @RobertDowneyJr style! Now I need my own movie franchise!

— Boy George (the truth is in your breath) (@BoyGeorge) November 2, 2016

Street says she simply wanted George's reaction to his controversial selection as a mentor on talent show The Voice.

"There was controversy earlier this year when Boy George's victim from his criminal conviction slammed the BBC for taking him on as a mentor for The Voice," Street said.

"I just wanted to get Boy George's reaction to that. My exact words were 'how did you cope with that?'

"In the same article his victim was asking Boy George for an apology. I simply asked him if he had ever entertained that idea. Up until that point we had a great chat. He was very upbeat and entertaining and I really liked him."

"I was really shocked that he walked out. He had already answered a question on the topic so beautifully. He had said he wanted to move on and use his past as a way of helping others with addiction."

The band will fly directly into Auckland to play at Vector Arena on December 4. It will be the band's first New Zealand tour.

Christchurch ticket purchasers will be refunded through Ticketek, who can be contacted by calling 0800 842 438, Macpherson said.