John Lydon criticises "mediocre" UK

Sex Pistols star John Lydon has hit out at the UK, saying it is growing "more and more mediocre".

The former I'm A Celebrity... contestant also threw his microphone at a reporter as he launched computer game Guitar Hero III in London.

He said: "I've been away a few years and it gets more and more mediocre here. It's now coffee shops and wine bars and you can't smoke anywhere."

He then hurled his microphone at a journalist who accused Lydon of interrupting when he was told: "It's easy to moan about this country when you don't live here."

Lydon, also known as Johnny Rotten, responded: "I'm not moaning. I'm telling you, I'm out of here. You, you fool, you think 'cos I come from here I've got no right to comment 'cos I've gone elsewhere. You are still here and you ain't changed."

But he was sarcastic about his new home California, saying: "It's great. A fire every week, an earthquake and then an earthslide. Yeah, cosy."

The Sex Pistols are currently preparing for a five-date tour to mark the 30th anniversary of their album Never Mind The Bollocks.