Stipe defends 'cheerless' Yorke

Michael Stipe has hit out at pal Thom Yorke's cheerless reputation, insisting the Radiohead singer is not as depressed as the press like to portray him.

The REM frontman is credited with helping Yorke cope with the weight of global stardom and feels he and the Creep hitmaker have both come under similar pressures, because of the type of music they play.

He says: "Thom in person is not as cheerless as the media like to portray him. We have suffered the same thing for years, just because my band's music leans towards the darker emotions.

"I'm happy to report that Mr Thom Yorke is a very happy and a very well-rounded and very smart person."