George Michael dies aged 53 from ‘heart failure’ at home on Christmas Day
MUSIC legend George Michael has died at his home in Oxfordshire at the age of 53 from suspected heart failure.
The Wham! singer had a successful solo career and sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
Thames Valley Police said an ambulance attended a property in Goring, Oxfordshire, at 1,42pm today adding that his death was being treated as "unexplained but not suspicious".
It is understood paramedics had been called after Michael was discovered by a friend.
In a statement, the star's 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."
Michael's longtime manager Michael Lippman told Billboard that the cause of death was believed to be heart failure.
The last pictures of the star show him looking drawn and tired.
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Tributes have been paid to the star, whose hits included Club Tropicana, Freedom, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, and Careless Whisper - which launched his solo career.
The singer had seven number one singles in the UK and enjoyed collaborations with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Sir Elton John and Queen, after the death of Freddie Mercury.
Alongside Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley Michael enjoyed hit after hit, including Club Tropicana, Young Guns (Go For It) and Last Christmas.
But they decided to bow out at the top, pulling the plug on their partnership with a final chart-topping single The Edge Of Heaven in 1986 and triumphant Wembley shows.
Following the tragic news Ridgeley tweeted: "Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog.
"Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved. A xx"
Writing on Instagram the music legend's friend Elton John wrote: "I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist.
"My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans."
"Farewell my Friend! Another Great Artist leaves us. Can 2016 F*** Off NOW?" Madonna wrote in a post on Instagram accompanied by a video of her presenting Michael with an award.
Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog.
Andrew Ridgeley
Duran Duran posted: "2016 - loss of another talented soul. All our love and sympathy to @GeorgeMichael's family."
Fellow popstar Boy George said: "I am thinking of @GeorgeMichael's family, friends and fans right now.
"He was so loved and I hope he knew it because the sadness today is beyond words. Devastating.
"What a beautiful voice he had and his music will live on as a testament to his talent. I can't believe he is gone."
Michael's album Faith - which has been remastered and later released in 2010 - was a massive success in 1988.
But lengthy legal battles followed as he tried to free himself from a deal with record label Sony which effectively prevented new recordings (only to re-sign with them a few years later).
After years of refusing to be drawn on speculation about his sexuality, he was arrested in public toilets in Beverly Hills, California, in 1998 for engaging in a lewd act.
The incident forced him to disclose his homosexuality and his relationship with American Kenny Goss.
Michael was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in East Finchley, London.
He wanted to be a music star from an early age and busked on the London Underground before becoming a club DJ.
He found stardom with Wham! and the band's first album Fantastic reached No1 in 1983.
Michael and bandmate Andrew Ridgeley decided to bow out at the top, pulling the plug on their partnership with a final chart-topping single The Edge Of Heaven in 1986 and triumphant Wembley shows.
In 1987 Michael released his first solo album Faith and went on to have successful career.
All of his albums reached top spot in the charts, with the exception of Songs From The Last Century, which claimed the position twice.
He entered a period of semi-retirement in 2008, keeping out of the public eye.
In the years prior to his semi retirement Michael's turbulent personal life, drug use and brushes with the law had seen him hit the headlines.
Stars pay their tributes to pop legend George Michael
He later said his late 20s had been a very depressing time for him after he lost his partner, Anselmo Feleppa, to HIV and his mother died some time later.
He said: "I had my very first relationship at 27 because I really had not actually come to terms with my sexuality until I was 24.
"I lost my partner to HIV then it took about three years to grieve; then after that I lost my mother. I felt almost like I was cursed."
He was also given a five-year driving ban after he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs and possessing cannabis.
Michael had suffered some health problems and in 2011 the star pulled out of a series of concerts and was admitted to hospital to be treated for pneumonia.
During treatment doctors performed a tracheotomy to keep his airways open and he was unconscious for some time.
How George Michael’s iconic music career was almost overshadowed by his turbulent personal life
It was also in 2011, he officially announced the ending of a turbulent 15-year relationship with Goss - though he said that the pair had actually split around two years earlier.
A year later George revealed how his recovery had included learning to walk again.
He said: “I didn’t get myself checked out. I took it for granted that I’d just fought off flu.
“I went and played for another three weeks in Europe.
“And then one afternoon I was having lunch and suddenly felt really odd and said to everyone that I need to go and lay down for half an hour on my own.
“And that’s the last thing I remember for five weeks. It was three weeks of them trying to save my life and two weeks awake. I literally had to learn to walk again and weird stuff, because when they keep you sedated for that long your muscles literally atrophy at an incredible rate. And I just woke up like this feeble old man.”
He was to return to hospital just 18 months later with a head head injury following a bizarre incident on the M1 motorway when he fell from his vehicle on to the tarmac.
Michael returned to the public eye in 2012 performing a song from his new album at the London Olympics.
Then, in September it was announced he was set to finally reunite with the 90s supermodels from his Freedom music video in an upcoming no-holds barred film about his nineties heyday.
Earlier this month it was revealed he was also working on a new album with producer Naughty Boy.
It was believed that Michael had once again become close to the love of his life Kenny Goss in recent months.
The pop superstar had split from the Texan art dealer in 2009 after 13 years and his life quickly spiralled out of control, culminating in a lengthy stint in rehab.
George Michael is the latest celebrity to die in 2016.
Tributes to a music legend
Matt Lucas, who worked with the singer during a sketch for BBC comedy Little Britain, said: "Well 2016, you had to just take one more, didn't you?"
His Little-Britain co-star David Walliams said: "I pray George Michael finally finds peace.
"A deeply private man with an awe-inspiring talent that couldn't help but make him a superstar."
Entrepreneur and television personality Duncan Bannatyne said: "George Michael has now been taken by the curse of 2016. Please make him the last. RIP."
80s pop star Howard Jones, known for the song I'd Like To Get To Know You Well, said: "Can't believe George Michael has passed ....one of the greatest singers and writers the UK ever produced. I'm really saddened ..a lovely man."
Alison Moyet, who performed at Live Aid in 1985 on the same bill as Michael, said: "I met George Michael a few times & he was ever a gentle, unassuming soul.
"A rare presence in a world full of self.
"Honest, genuine talent."
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "Very sad to hear the news about George Michael.
"An incredible talent who brought joy to millions of us with his music."
Singer and stage actress Pixie Lott said: "Grew up listening to the beautiful and talented GeorgeMichael - my mama's favourite! was a pleasure to meet him so sad to hear the news."
Ricky Gervais added: "Unbelievable. RIP George Michael."
Michael's legions of fans have also been paying tribute to the star.
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