George Michael’s sister laid to rest as Roman and Martin Kemp join family for funeral after Christmas Day death
GEORGE Michael's tragic sister Melanie Panayiotou was laid to rest this week in a star-studded funeral after she passed away on Christmas Day.
The 55-year-old died in hospital after a short illness exactly three years on from the popstar's own tragic death in 2016.
Hairdresser Melanie, who was extremely close to her baby brother, was buried yesterday with George's godson Roman Kemp in attendance.
His mum Shirlie, who was in Wham! with George, and Spandau Ballet star husband Martin also came to pay their respects.
It is understood George's ex Fadi Fawaz was banned from the funeral after the grieving family were locked in a legal dispute over the singer's £98million estate.
The troubled star left most of his £97.6million estate to Melanie and their sister Yioda.
George was particularly close to Melanie, who travelled the world with him at the height of his fame.
She hosted his funeral at his Grade II-listed London home in Highgate, and ensured he was laid to rest next to their mum Lesley.
Melanie is also now expected to be buried in the same plot after she was discovered by sister Yioda on Christmas Day at home in North London.
TRAGIC DEATH
It is understood she had suffered a short illness before she passed away in hospital.
A source previously revealed she never recovered from losing her beloved brother, who
died aged 53 from natural causes at home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
"You never completely get over the death of a younger sibling.
"Melanie and George were very close so it has been tough in the last three years.
"This is terrible news and extremely sad for her sister and father, especially at the same time as when George died."
Just 48 hours before her death, Melanie issued a joint statement along with Yioda, their dad Jack and George's former manager David Austin.
She told fans to "swerve the bad" and "enjoy the good" in life.
The hairdresser also added that it was “important” to the family that the popstar’s “generosity of spirit and natural empathy” had touched so many people.
TRIBUTES FOR MEL
George's former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley led the tributes to Melanie after she broke the devastating news of George's death to him three years ago.
Taking to Twitter, Andrew wrote: "Utterly tragic news of Mel Panayiotou’s passing.
"My thoughts are with her sister and father at this desperately sad time."
While Wham! backing singer Shirlie Kemp, who was one of seven people left money in George's will, today paid tribute to "one of the kindest most considerate of others I had ever met".
MOST READ IN NEWS
She said: "We both shared a great love of flowers and many of the flowers in my photos were hers as she loved me photographing them.
"Her kindness to me and others even when she was in pain herself was incredible.
"I pray she is now with her beautiful brother and her lovely mother. Rest in peace dear Mel."
