English singer-songwriter and television personality who founded the band Dead or Alive in 1980, in which he was vocalist and songwriter. Dead or Alive rose to mainstream success with the 1985 single “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)”. Burns later rose to further celebrity status in the British media following his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother 2006, in which he finished in fifth place. He appeared on further television reality shows, including as a presenter.
Burns became famous for his androgynous style and his progressive approach to gender. He stated that he always identified himself as male and never had intentions of being a woman, “It freaks me that someone could think I was a woman. Don’t get me wrong – I love women; I love men, too, and I’m very proud to be a man.”
Burns married Lynne Corlett in Liverpool in 1980. They separated in 2006. He married Michael Simpson shortly afterwards.
On the topic of his sexuality, Burns stated that “[People] always want to know – am I gay, bi, trans or what? I say, forget all that. There’s got to be a completely different terminology and I’m not aware if it’s been invented yet. I’m just Pete.”
Burns was known for his ever-changing, often androgynous appearance, which he freely admitted was greatly modified by cosmetic surgery. Burns had extensive polyacrylamide injections into his lips, cheek implants, several rhinoplasties and many tattoos. Burns at one time accused fellow pop star Boy George of appropriating his unique image.
Burns died following sudden cardiac arrest on 23 October 2016 at the age of 57.
Link to Wikipedia biography