THINK of the 80s and disturbing images of ra-ra skirts, frilly shirts and mullet hairstyles spring to mind.

But what of the pop stars who inspired these fashion horrors? Boy George and Kylie Minogue have remained in vogue since topping the charts two decades ago, but where are the likes of Limahl now?

After languishing in obscurity since their 80s heyday, pop icons Adam Ant and Shakin' Stevens have been ignominiously catapulted back into the news.

Ant, real name Stuart Goddard, the New Romantic pin-up idolised for his good looks and outlandish costumes, needed treatment for mental health problems while Shaky received a drink-driving ban.

Other '80s pop stars have fared even worse, squandering fortunes, battling drugs and struggling to adapt to life back on civvy street.

Big Country singer Stuart Adamson was recently found dead in a Hawaii hotel room after a suspected overdose while Visage frontman Steve Strange hit the headlines for stealing a Teletubbies doll.

Strange was said to be suffering from "myriad problems" after failing to cope with the loss of his fame and fortune.

Chris Larkin, editor of the Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music, says: "Others end up on the '80s nostalgia circuit which is satisfying a demand because there are people who still want to see their former favourites.

"So these bands are still milking a living out of it and will keep going till they drop.

"But it's a bit sad trading on your past glory."

Nik Kershaw, whose hits include I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, only called it a day last year after his latest album flopped.

"I decided to get out with some dignity. I refuse to become an '80s cabaret act," he said.

Ex-Kajagoogoo star Limahl did not time things as well and stormed out of a comeback gig after being pelted with bottles by the audience.

Singer Carol Decker spent years touring the pop graveyard of regional pubs and clubs after T'Pau's third album sank and bands like Duran Duran have also refused to just live off their royalties.

But, as recent photos of Adam Ant and Shakin' Stevens make clear, nostalgia is indeed not what it used to be.

Ant's dandy highwayman has fallen victim to paunchy middle age while Shaky looks more like the Fonz's dad than the denim-clad rocker of old. Deprived of their former looks and often minus key members of the original line-up, many '80s bands run the risk of becoming caricatures of themselves.

"You have these reunions where bands get back together with just one or two members. Slade no longer has Noddy Holder. What's the point?" asks Larkin. "Bands like the Rolling Stones and The Who are the greatest survivors but they have grown old disgracefully.

"They were fantastic superstars and, in a way, they still have that energy and perform with guts.

"From the '80s only people in the superstar bracket, like Sting and Phil Collins, can still cut the mustard."

Some '80s pop idols who utilised their talents elsewhere have often been more successful.

Blonde bombshell Kim Wilde found her real calling after going back to college and becoming a TV gardener, saying recently: "Gardening's up there with Tom Waits and God."

"I really admire her because she said 'this is the real me, I've found what I'm looking for,'. I wasn't a fan of her music but I'm very impressed with the way she's now got her life together," Larkin says.

Former Spandau Ballet guitarist Martin Kemp changed from pop star to soap star after playing villain Steve Owen in EastEnders and has now signed a golden handcuffs deal with ITV.

"He's cracked it. He's got a proper career now which will last him a good long time.

"He'll never have to go on stage and perform old Spandau Ballet songs again - unless he wants to," jokes Larkin.

Former punk Toyah Willcox has also proved adaptable. After regular slots as an actress and TV presenter she is now starring in West End play Shagaround.

"There are also a surprising number of former pop stars still in the industry as song writers, A&R and publicity people," Larkin points out.

Former Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark vocalist Andy McCluskey still pens hits, but now gets Atomic Kitten to sing them.

Andrew Ridgeley, George Michael's sidekick in '80s uber group Wham!, changed from poster boy to eco warrior when he moved to Cornwall and joined Surfers Against Sewage.

Larger-than-life Bad Manners' frontman Buster Bloodvessel, aka Douglas Trendle, famously went bankrupt when his hotel venture Fatty Towers failed to attract enough obese guests.

He then fronted a TV advert mocking people who went broke after getting poor financial advice.

Ironically, this helped rejuvenate his pop career and he went on the regional gig circuit again.

David Van Day, from Dollar, went from a life of fast women and fast cars to one of fast food, selling hot-dogs from a van in Brighton.

He also appeared in a humorous advert highlighting his financial downfall and played a series of dates with a reformed Bucks Fizz.

"You do something like that for three or four years if you're lucky and if you've got a brain in your head you realise you have to go into something else unless you are exceptional," Larkin says.

"But most of them, with the greatest respect, are not very bright and think they can go on forever. It's all a bit sad, but we haven't really got any right to knock it if they want to do it and people want to pay money to see nostalgia. Personally I think, 'Get a life'."