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SINGER GEORGE MICHAEL has died at the age of 53.
His publicist confirmed the news this evening, saying that he died ‘peacefully at home’.
There are no details yet on the cause of death, but police have said that there were no suspicious circumstances. Thames Valley Police confirmed that an ambulance was called to a house in Oxfordshire at 1.42pm today.
George Michael, who was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in London, was one of the biggest pop stars of the 1980s and 1990s, first with the band Wham! and then as a solo artist. He sold more than 100 million albums across his career.
In a statement, his publicist said: ”It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period.
“The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.”
Tributes have been paid to George Michael on social media, with many expressing shock at the singer’s death.
Alison Moyet / TwitterI met George Michael a few times & he was ever a gentle, unassuming soul.A rare presence in a world full of self.
— Alison Moyet (@AlisonMoyet) December 25, 2016
Honest, genuine talent.
Spandau Ballet / TwitterWe are incredibly sad at the passing of our dear friend George Michael. A brilliant artist & great songwriter. Spandau Ballet / Steve Dagger
— Spandau Ballet (@SpandauBallet) December 25, 2016
George Michael initially shot to fame with his schoolfriend Andrew Ridgeley as part of the duo Wham!, known for hits such as Club Tropicana, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go and Last Christmas.
The band was helped by the emergence of MTV and became hugely popular both on this side of the Atlantic and in the United States.
After the band broke up, George Michael shifted from being a teenage heartthrob to a superstar singer-songwriter. He had huge success as a solo artist over the next two decades with albums including Faith and Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1, and was lauded by critics for his vocal range and songwriting abilities.
He had 11 number one singles in Britain and 10 number one singles in the US.
His most recent album, Symphonica, was released in 2014.
George Michael only revealed in public that he was gay in 1998 after being arrested in a public bathroom by police in Los Angeles. The star later said he had not wanted to come out while his mother, who died in 1997, was still alive.
He had had a low profile in recent years, amid concerns for his health.
He was given police cautions for cannabis and crack cocaine possession and in 2010 was sentenced to eight weeks in jail after crashing his 4×4 into a London shop while under the influence of cannabis and prescription medication.
In 2011, he announced his split with long-term partner Kenny Goss. He then spent several weeks in hospital in Vienna after contracting pneumonia, later saying he had been close to death.
Michael was due to release a documentary in 2017.
He did not shy away from discussing his private life when he did do interviews.
“People want to see me as tragic with all the cottaging and drug-taking… those things are not what most people aspire to and I think it removes people’s envy to see your weaknesses,” he told Britain’s Guardian newspaper in 2009.
“I don’t even see them as weaknesses any more. It’s just who I am.”
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Jesus I’d hate to be editing reeling in the years for this year
It’ll have to be a 2 hour special
I’d hate to be doing it for any year if I’m honest.
Talk about news like a sledgehammer hitting you. An absolute genius and a magnificent voice to compliment it. He’s been around for as long as I’ve being growing up. I hope he didn’t suffer. He made millions happy so he deserves that.
All celebrities should hold hands, theirs is 7 days left in 2016 !!
@Cal Egan: I bet no one here even listened to his music
@cal egan stfu, how do you know. Ladies and gentleman was one of the best albums I ever bought
Nicely said Michael J.
Wrong!!!!!
Very sad to hear this news! Wasn’t born in the 80s but appreciated his music each day I listened! RIP. A true music icon.
RIP George #LastChristmas
Wrote “Careless Whisper” aged just 17. Performed the iconic version of “Somebody to Love” the day he found out his partner was diagnosed with AIDS. Gave us “Freedom 90″ one of the all time great pop songs. “As” with Mary J is a classic. Quite simply a legendary writer/performer/vocalist/producer. Utter genius.
Well said what a legend
What a year for musical deaths… Rip george. Some great anthems and a great voice.
Paul what are you on about
A simple RIP would suffice there, Paul.
Your s F…..gArsehole !
Get a grip FFS
You are a horrible person. Shame on you!
@Paul anyone else want to add to this nonsensical posting? Only a few days left but this might come in as my choice of Bullshit Posting of Year Award 2016.
@just to clarify.. My comment was directed at the comment by PT and not the article. RIP George – Legend.
That should have read PF! I’ll lay off the beer now! I’m off to listen to my Wham records…Careless Whispers will always be a classic in my mind. Tremendous talent. RIP.
RIP Michael
Huh?
Tragic. Great musician. RIP 2016 hasn’t been kind to the music/entertainment industry
Not great politically, either. We will be glad to see the back of this year.
No year is great politically
2016 can f**k right off sharpish.
Why cant a few politicians be taken instead? No loss.
Sheridan, expect maybe to their family and friends etc??
Ah ffs! This is awful! What an awful year! This man was a legend! Truly shocking!
Another legend gone …RIP
OMG. Was singing along to him today . RIP
How ironic one of his best know songs and a classic is called ‘Last Christmas’
@King: It’s quirky that’s for sure. But I don’t know if it’s ironic.
He didn’t make the song in order to prevent his death on any given Christmas, and if he did, I don’t think him making the song backfired and resulted in his death. Maybe it’s ironic in some sense of the word I don’t understand.
A true superstar and songwriter …. Listen without prejudice is one of the best written albums of our time. He also battled hard with Sony on how commercialised the music industry was and had the courage to breakaway from them Will be sadly missed RIP George… Cowboys & Angels await
Another legend gone
Great song writer up there with the best but struggled in him personal life. He’ll be a profound loss to music generally…his music will be associated with the 80′s
Which is kinda sad as Wham were vacuous even by 80′s standards. His best work was listen without prejudice or older.
Or Songs from the 21st century love that album
Que the music fascists .Wham gave pleasure to tens of millions.none of whose opinions matter less than yours.
Oh for fùcks sake. I’m devastated. My wife is devastated. RIP George.
He was a legend. Loved the way he didn’t take himself to seriously. He was a class act
What is it with 2016….
Lets go outside, take me to the places that I love best.. Loved his quirky lyrics, always a hint of divilment about the man.. Shocked..
Not gonna lie, 14 year old me is bereft. Present day me is a little bit forlorn on hearing this. Great singer songwriter and performer. There’s no doubt he’s had his troubles and he’s kept a very low profile for the last few years and I’m glad that he was able to die in privacy without the tabloids hounding him. The headlines and the dirt digging are going to be ugly.
RIP George. :’(
Maybe and hopefully not Daisy! Reading between the lines it seems he may have been ill for a while. Shocking and sickening year, almost unnaturally so, think we can all agree we can’t wait to see the back of it.
Ah no way, it must be my age but dome legends falling last 2 years, r.I.p legend xx
his music helped me through some tough times. A tortured soul who was never able to find peace in this world. Rest in Peace
This year is taking the piss! RIP
Very sad – enormous talent RIP
What a poxy yeah year for celebrity deaths. I’m shocked. RIP
2016 can do one
Heartbroken. What a poxy year 2016 was..
Was just listening to the song “Last Christmas” RIP thank you for the music
Legend
What a sad year all round some amazing artists passed away. R.I.P George! You were an amazing artist and will be sadly missed.
F##k you 2016
Guilty feet have got no rhythm. Killer line
OMG what a great loss to the music world! May he rest in eternal peace.
God rest him. A talent truly lost. A voice that won’t be forgotten.
Very sad. And we have just been enjoying Last Christmas and this new breaks!! 2016 has not been good at all
Death is going all out before yesr end! RIP
No no no no no. Bowie, Prince and now George. Devastated.
Bad year for Celebs, great performer, to young to be leaving, RIP
And another icon taken in 2016!!!!!!!!!
2016 from Bowie to Michael ..the year the music died..
Truly upset by this news! Wasn’t born in the 80s but appreciated his voice and music everyday I listened! RIP. A true music icon.
his music helped me through some tough time’s. A tortured soul who is left us some beautiful song’s. Rest in Peace George
Too sad for words. A Great Musician, A legend, A musican. Truly a Last Christmas. RIP you will be missed. Love and support to your family and close friends.
OMG what a great loss to the music world! May he rest in peace.
Very hard to take in. Rest in peace George Michael. You mean so much too so many of us.
First I lose the remote now this , this day can’t get any worse
Listen without Prejudice is a beautiful album, incredibly I listened to the track Mother’s Pride earlier this evening. .. Such sad news
Janie, that’s awful. RIP George.
Rip loved him
Older. Best album of loss ever.
What an absolute legend…gutted…loved him…how many more legends will go before 2017 comes
Jesus, Prince and George Michael in one year, that’s not on and Justin Beber still alive.
Jesus died 2000 years ago roughly
Bowie???
Jesus was a few years back now
Jesus died 1983 years ago..ish.
RIP George.. great talent
No no no no no. Bowie, Prince and now George. Devastated.
Tragic news. RIP.
George Michael suffered extrmely poor health in the last few years. He had recurrent pneumonia and respiratory problems.
It is very sad news but perhaps not entirely unexpected.
Omg heartbroken,only listing to him on U tube awhile ago
That’s a shock..
What a poxy year for celebrity deaths. I’m shocked. RIP
Tis awful sad. I blame that bitch who he gave his heart to in the 80s and turned him gay.
@Mike Breen:idiot
Devastated ,loved him especially in the 80s
Very sad news, amazing singer RIP
Is it true he’s donating his heart?
Laaaaaaast christmaaaaass I have you my …..aaaahgggghghhh….ggggghhhh.. hmmmmph
What a bellend.
Nice one liam!!
Very sad news.
Wasn’t a fan but I’m absolutely gob smacked. RIP
his music helped me through some tough time’s. Gone too soon Rest in Peace George
Crazy year for oustanding , favorites of my the duration of my life so far passing away. Last Christmas Micheal. R. I.P
I’m never gonna dance again
Did people not get the reference?
This Christmas, I gave you my heart #ripgeorgemichael
Very sad rest in peace.
Dear jaysus is there no end to the carnage in the music world this year. The talented legends we have lost can never be replaced but just imagine what a concert that lot could have together wherever they are.
It seems 2016 ain’t finished yet. Never liked his music but there’s no denying he was a great singer. RIP.
Can’t believe 2016 has taken another talent…
Jaysus what a year for the music industry, and its not over yet, rip George.
So many titans of the music world taken before their time this year, RIP George.
Imagine , if he carried a donor card he might actually give someone his heart this Christmas
WTF
Bono your f__ked
My serious go to guy….how is this happening??
The sooner 2016 ends the better. RIP
The most tragically ironic way to pass. We’ll always remember your last Christmas Michael.
Yet another reason why 2016 needs to end. RIP George Michael.
RIP great performer , what a poxy year !!
Rip George. Another has past. 2016 hits sgain
So sad loved George Michael since the 80s
So many titans of the music world have been taken before their time this year, RIP George.
He had aids
@Jimmy Carter: which didn’t make him any less of a titan or didn’t make his passing any less before its time.
@Jimmy Carter: How do you know? – and is it even a fatal disease any more?
@Dell: Totally agree Dell.
Having AIDS is probably going to take anyone before their time. Only sayin
@shouldweallbe: so will heart disease or cancer.. Still doesn’t make their passing any less sad or tragic.
Yes but hes dead …. from aids
@Jimmy Carter: so you have said… A few times in fact. consider us all now so much the wiser for your contribution.
Not saying it isn’t tragic for fans. I’m saying AIDS can be terminal. Nite nite.
So sad Rip George michael
Just when you thought 2016 had done it’s worst….WHAM.
Whether he was singing a cover of a Queen song or one of the old standards his voice took the songs to new levels. And his own songs were almost without exception brilliantly written masterpieces. I was just listening to “Praying For Time” today, a classic and almost appropriate. RIP George, one of my all time favorite artists.
Last Christmas R.I.P
It’s times like this that you gotta have faith faith faith.
An amazingly talented artist. RIP George Michael.
I thought that was last Christmas?
Good one. You’ve surely got a future in comedy. Ass wipe
R.i.p george michael
Not a great fan cept for careless whisper but still a major talent and so young to pass away RIP young man
R.I.P LAST CHRISTMAS
There are no words, loved George so much!!
George’s “Last Christmas ” is given to a higher place where there’s never a last Christmas for ever. Rest In Peace
Oh no not another one!! 2016 has been cruel. I grew up listening and bopping to George Michael. Saw him play in the RDS twice….he was an amazing musician and singer. He will be sorely missed. RIP
Jayses Christ, R.I.P Michael and condolences to the family.
2016 can f*ck right off and die
Merry F *king Christmas! 2017 cant come sooner!!
So he’s not playing the point?
Best live vocals I ever heard.
His tribute to Freddy Mercury somebody to love was the greatest single live performance EVER. He absolutely nailed it. Brilliant singer songwriter. Extremely handsome. Shame he couldn’t fight his demons successfully. Rip George. I’ll never dance again.
Was hoping it was just a careless whisper, but sadly not, R.I.P. George, legend of pop.
I though that was last Christmas?
Terrible news RIP
It’s all enough to make rational people investigate numerology, astrology and such quackery to seek answers to the carnage of 2016.
One of the saddest day of the year for the music world. Just got to have faith when it comes to a careless whisper.
Anyone that red thumbs both of his hits should just walk away.
J
Just like when Freddie Mercury died, it’s just hard to take in, it really is.
Thought it was last xmas he died . Least he had faith
I can’t even
Rip. 2016 not a good year
Jesus the curse of 2016 hasn’t finished yet, very sad news RIP
he is NOT dead. The Journal should confirm it’s facts before publishing such disturbing news.
He is. It’s on BBC news. It has been confirmed by his publicist.
It’s on SKY news..
I hope you’re right, however Bbc have details of statement from his publicist
@Michael:Maybe it is you that should confirm their facts before trying to lecture the journal on their own facts??
@Michael: Honestly, none of us wants to believe it. It’s unfortunately true.
This xmas now sux
I knew you were waiting(for me) hopefully sang it to his maker before he died .to my Idol R.I.P.
Last Christmas George R I P
It’s not even death comes for us all now, it’s death comes for everyone nowadays
Huh?
I think he is the 48th celeb that has died this year so far?
Rip mick, liked that song “freedom”
Was it his heart?
The guy without the johnny did the damage
just was chatting about A Different Corner being a rarer favourite of mine and my superfan Mam agreed how genius Fastlove was for a comeback single.
2016 sucks rip George and all the great ones we lost this Year
the media could have choose to announce this terrible news tomorrow!!!!!!
Why?
Not suit you today Craig? Inconvenient?!
Cos it’s a day for happiness, and this is very sad news
@Craig Ferguson: What an inconsiderate swine, going ahead and dying on Christmas day like that!
You dopey Kant
No this xmas suxs
#rushtogush
So sad Rip x what a sad 2016
GOD IS GETTING VERY GREEDY!
A new artist is born somewhere else. Check out RIP.ie and see the many other who also deid
A friend is mourning his dad, but even he could appreciate the upset of GM’s death.
Very sad the impact of drugs on talented lives. Rip.
RIP Johan cruyff now there’s a legend
People die every day,
.
Don’t often post to twitter #sosad#legend
Not good at all #memories
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