Adam Ant, the flamboyant pop singer who scored hits in the 1980s, has been committed to a London psychiatric hospital after being arrested for firearms offenses, police said Wednesday. The singer, whose real name is Stuart Goddard, was taken to the Royal Free Hospital by police on Monday – just 24 hours after he was accused of pulling out a gun at the Prince of Wales pub in north London.
Under the Mental Health Act, doctors will be able to hold Ant for 28 days while they assess his condition.
Goddard was charged on Saturday over the pub incident with possession of a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and with criminal damage and assault. He was bailed to appear at Highbury Magistrates Court on Friday.
The Mirror newspaper reported receiving a rambling phone call from Ant from inside the hospital.
“They’ve put me in the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ ward because they think I’m crazy,” the tabloid quoted Ant as saying. “The whole thing’s a conspiracy and they are out to get me. I’m not mad.”
The singer, famous for his painted face and flamboyant dress sense, scored a string of hits including “Stand and Deliver,” “Prince Charming,” and “Goody Two Shoes.” He was scheduled to headline a 1980s nostalgia tour this spring.
