Ex-Iron Maiden singer released from prison early

Ex-Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di'Anno was released from prison on Tuesday (May 24) early after serving just two months of his sentence for benefit fraud.

The singer, whose real name is Paul Andrews, was jailed for nine months on March 11 after being found guilty of falsely claiming over £45,000 in benefits.

Di'Anno, who told authorities that he'd suffered severe nerve damage to his back and was unable to work fraudulently claimed £45,479 in benefits from The Department Of Work And Pensions between 2002 and 2008 while he continued to perform.

"[I'm] back home again, and looking forward to [my] Running Free Again [tour], and seeing you all in a few weeks," he told Metal Underground Relieved to say, I managed not to drop the soap!"

Tags: Iron Maiden

Posted by Dan at 11:43AM | May 26, 2011

Amazing.

Posted by Joseph Kuby | May 26, 2011 11:55 AM | Reply to this

Yes! Looking forward to the tour Paul! Love ya!

Posted by Joey | May 26, 2011 12:37 PM | Reply to this

@ nhgnh

I concur! Couldn't of said it better myself.

Posted by ParkwayAnthem | May 26, 2011 4:14 PM | Reply to this

@nhgnh totally agree!

Posted by slockers | May 26, 2011 5:19 PM | Reply to this

disgraceful defrauding us tax payers while he's earning thousands on tour then not having to serve his sentence! Any other civilian would have to why should there be exception to the rule because of who he is!

Posted by rachie | May 26, 2011 5:20 PM | Reply to this

Fucking scumbag.

Posted by Alex | May 26, 2011 8:11 PM | Reply to this

you only have to serve a third of your time normally, so 2 months is not too far out.

Posted by Lar | May 27, 2011 7:58 AM | Reply to this

This is very discraseful and should do all his sentence in prision not be allowed out just because he is a singer (celebrity)

Posted by Mustafa Ali | May 27, 2011 1:22 PM | Reply to this

This is very discraseful and should do all his sentence in prision not be allowed out just because he is a singer (celebrity)

Posted by Mustafa Ali | May 27, 2011 1:23 PM | Reply to this

Paul Di'Anno has connections?! Is he in the masons then? Jeez, is that comment from a book by David Icke?

Posted by Jace | May 27, 2011 1:59 PM | Reply to this

fucking distgusting, the bastard should have served years not months

Posted by steve>D | May 27, 2011 3:17 PM | Reply to this

Plenty of people get out early if they make nice before during & after sentencing. My stock in him did take a nose dive as soon as I read this though.

Posted by Kalinski | May 27, 2011 3:36 PM | Reply to this

The worst thing is that the media will keep referring to him as ex-Iron Maiden vocalist and drag Maiden's good name down with him. He hasn't been with Maiden for almost 30 years now so it's a bit rough on Maiden to keep getting associated with him. I agree with jon hufton's comment that he pretty much just lives on what fame he gained by being in Maiden and singing the songs he sang then.

Posted by Geert van de Vorstenbosch | May 27, 2011 8:45 PM | Reply to this

Who is Iron Maiden please?

Posted by Gutrupali | May 27, 2011 11:30 PM | Reply to this

@Gutrupali

Mwahahahaha!! You insignificant worm, not knowing who Iron Maiden is, is like tell me, The Dark Lord, Ganondorf, you don't know what the Triforce is. You shall pay for you insolence, as I banish you to The Gap Between Dimensions! Also, anyone saying Paul should have served all his time isn't showing respect to a legend, he shouldn't have served ANY time, he deserves to be treated like a King for bring Maiden into this world, and gracing us with 25 years of musical bliss, albiet he wasn't in the band, they are still the best band on the planet, bar none, all their members are music masters, legends that will go into God's Hall Of Fame.

Posted by Return Of The Dark Lord, Ganondorf | May 29, 2011 6:43 PM | Reply to this

Dianno is a legend??? Christ, you're easily satisfied.

Posted by Steve | May 30, 2011 2:09 AM | Reply to this

If the guy has any conscience whatsoever he'll give his slice of the tour money to charity, or use it to find decent law-abiding citizens who don't resort to benefit theft a proper job. Doubt it somehow, probably waste it all on booze and drugs...

Posted by Jamie | May 31, 2011 10:49 PM | Reply to this

It's unlikely the tour would've made a lot of money either way if this is the best they could do for publicity.

Posted by Kalinski | June 1, 2011 9:02 AM | Reply to this

It's unlikely the tour would've made a lot of money either way if this is the best they could do for publicity.

Posted by Kalinski | June 1, 2011 9:10 AM | Reply to this

Hmmm ... I agree he shouldn't be out early

Posted by toni | June 2, 2011 12:56 PM | Reply to this

Hmmm ... I agree he shouldn't be out early

Posted by toni | June 2, 2011 12:57 PM | Reply to this

aint fair that he should only have to serve 2 months of it. i couldn't give a shit about di'anno sure he was good with maiden but that was 30 years ago and drugs and shit got him kicked out. the little scrounger should serve every last day of it.

Posted by jack \m/ | August 19, 2011 6:01 PM | Reply to this