ROYAL FRAUD: 'ALBUM GIVEAWAY WAS A GOOD DEAL'

Singer PRINCE has defended his controversial decision to hand out his latest album for free - because he "sold" three million copies overnight. The Purple Rain hitmaker sparked an industry debate last year (07) when he released his Planet Earth record as a giveaway with British newspaper The Mail on Sunday.

But he has hit back at critics of the move - insisting it was a good business deal. Prince tells USA Today newspaper, "We weren't trying to upstage the record company or disrupt anything. I just wanted to get new music out. "I asked Sony, 'Were you planning to sell three million copies in London?' I don't think so. I sold three million copies overnight and got paid. That's a good, clear business deal."

Yeah Right, but the insiders tell me the record company bought 60% of those copies. BTW, is this the same Prince suing some housewife cos the baby was dancing to his music on YouTube?

Meanwhile the Purple Rain hitmaker admits he has matured with age and no longer wants to write songs with lusty lyrics - in case he offends his fans. He tells USA Today newspaper, "My fans have kids. I have to be sensitive to their consciousness.

I've grown, too. I did the Dirty Mind tour and pushed that envelope off the table. What I didn't do, Madonna finished. I don't want to go back. You have to get out of your own way." And the staunch Jehovah's Witness also insists reading the Bible convinced him to tone down his act, adding: "That's another way faith has changed me."