Pointless host Richard Osman recalls the time George Michael paid £15k for Deal or No Deal woman’s IVF
Telly quiz presenter tweeted sweet anecdote about tragic singer who died yesterday aged just 53
GEORGE Michael paid £15,000 for a Deal Or No Deal contestant to have IVF after being touched by her story while watching the show.
The singer, who died last night aged just 53, was so moved by one contestant's determination to win enough cash to pay for fertility treatment, that when she fell short of her goal he took matters in to his own hands.
Richard Osman, co-host of rival show Pointless, revealed the Careless Whisper singer's generous gesture on Twitter.
He wrote: "A woman on 'Deal Or No Deal' told us she needed £15k for IVF treatment. George Michael secretly phoned the next day and gave her the £15k."
Before joining the BBC show, he was an executive producer on other quiz shows including 8 out of 10 Cats and Deal or No Deal.
Other fans have since shared their own encounters and anecdotes about the big-hearted singer.
One, Emilyne Mondo, claimed that he volunteered at a homeless shelter she also helped out, but asked people to keep it a secret.
Another claimed he once gave a sobbing a woman a cheque for £25,000 after seeing her weeping in a cafe about how much debt she was in.
User Vector Victoria tweeted: "He gave a stranger in a cafe £25k as she was crying over debt. Told the waitress to give her the cheque after he left."
George's kind gestures was kept secret until his death - as it seems was his love of daytime TV.
When one fan expressed their amusement that the superstar - who sold over 100 million records - tuned in to the Channel 4 show, another pointed out that he was a "stoner" so it wasn't really that surprising.
It was confirmed last night that George had died at his home in Oxfordshire from suspected heart failure.
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."
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