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.