George Michael’s grave at Highgate cemetery revealed – fans will NOT be allowed to visit the pop legend’s final resting place
GEORGE Michael fans will NOT be allowed to visit his grave as it will be kept on a private plot inaccessible to tours.
The superstar, who was finally laid to rest yesterday following a small service for friends and family, is buried in Highgate West Cemetery in north London - which is only accessible on guided tours.
But it has today been revealed that the tours will not include the former Wham! singer's grave.
It is understood the decision was made to prevent his resting place from becoming a tourist attraction swamped in large numbers by super fans, as is the case with Elvis Presley's at Graceland.
The cemetery's website published new information about its tours, cautioning interested parties: "George Michael's grave is not visited on the tour."
Tourists can pay £12 for the 70 minute tour which takes place in all weathers.
George was buried next to his mother Lesley Panayiotou who is laid to rest a stone's throw from the graves of painter Lucien Freud and Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, and his plot will remain private forever.
This means that the general public will never see his final resting place as it is behind brick walls and hidden among dense trees.
Last month reports emerged that a plot was reportedly under “24 surveillance” as his family prepared for the singer’s funeral.
Security at the north London cemetery have taken preparations to protect the site as the star’s fans flock to pay their respects.
The automated phone system also now has a message which says: “If you are phoning about George Michael, I’m sorry we haven’t got any information for you.”
On Wednesday the singer's grieving family and friends came together to remember him as the star was finally laid to rest.
The funeral was held 94 days after the star’s death, aged 53, on Christmas Day.
His former long-term partner Kenny Goss, 58, attended the 2pm service and later arrived at the private wake carrying a bunch of forget-me-nots.
Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley, former backing singers Pepsi and Shirlie and pal Martin Kemp were also among the guests, along with George’s father and two sisters.
But on-off lover Fadi Fawaz, 40, only made the funeral after being tipped off by a Sun photographer — and was then not allowed at the wake.
Kenny had continued to support George despite their split after 13 years in 2009. He accompanied him to court in 2010 and visited him in an Austrian hospital in 2011.
Their art charity, the Goss-Michael Foundation, remains in operation in both their names.
A source said: “It’s clear George’s family regard Kenny highly. He was hugely supportive while George struggled with drugs and alcohol problems, and even prison. He was very welcome and it’s clear he wanted to be there too.”
But photographer Fadi was the last to arrive at Highgate Cemetery in North London.
George's ex Kenny Goss was also spotted attending the intimate ceremony in London
He had been seen at 12.30pm strolling near George’s pad in Regent’s Park, where he lives.
After being asked by the snapper if he was attending the service, Fadi raced indoors.
He then emerged an hour later in a dark suit and hopped into a black limo. After paying his respects to George, he left the cemetery just before 4pm and returned home.
He had previously told The Sun he knew nothing about the funeral arrangements.
He said: “I can’t give you an answer, everything is being kept quiet. I really don’t know anything. Believe me. It’s all so strange.
“Nobody helps me, you know? My relationship was with George. It’s sad, and it’s not right.”
But a source close to the family said: “Fadi was allowed to attend the service, but the family didn’t want him at the wake afterwards.
“It wouldn’t have been appropriate for him to attend. Emotions are still extremely high.”
Fadi was the last person to see George alive on Christmas Eve at the star’s home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
He says he slept in his car that night and found George dead in bed the next day.
Posts on Fadi’s Twitter account shortly after claimed the star had taken his own life. But the death was attributed to heart and liver problems, although results of toxicology tests that delayed the funeral were kept secret.
Security surrounded the cemetery in the run up to the service, with guards on the entrances and tarpaulin shielding the view through wrought iron gates.
George’s coffin was transported to the site at 6am to avoid attracting attention, and was driven to a grave alongside his mother, who died in 1997.
The source added: “This was a very intimate affair for only the very closest of George’s family and friends.
“Those friends who came have generally known George for many, many years — in some cases almost his entire life — and the gathering afterwards was hosted by his dad Kyriacos and his sisters Melanie and Yioda.
“His very closest friends, such as producer David Austin, Martin and Shirlie Kemp, and Andrew Ridgeley were there, but the family were keen to make sure it didn’t become a bit of a circus.
“George avoided all that fuss and his family like to keep things low-key. George had a reputation for being flamboyant and larger than life, but he was really quite shy and liked to stay out of the limelight as much as possible, especially in recent years.”
The funeral was organised by Leverton and Sons, the firm responsible for Princess Diana’s send-off.
Greek Orthodox priest Costas Garibaldinos, a friend of the family, is understood to have officiated.
The order of service carried an iconic image of the singer in his dark glasses and black shirt. A verse on the front cover in English and Greek read: “The tears of Earth shall become smiles of heaven. If love has quickened them, with divine life.”
George’s family confirmed the funeral had taken place, but made no reference to his partner Fadi.
Their statement said: “Family and close friends gathered for the small, private ceremony to say goodbye to their beloved son, brother and friend. We would like to thank his fans across the world for their many messages of love and support.”
The Wham! singer had a successful solo career and sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
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