Big Brother star Mark Byron posts emotional tribute declaring he looks like a young George Michael – but Twitter trolls immediately slam him in angry backlash
BIG Brother star Mark Byron has been forced to hit back at Twitter trolls who mocked him for saying he looked like the late George Michael.
The reality star paid tribute to the late singer, who died aged 53 on Christmas Day, before saying he has always been compared to the iconic star throughout his life.
He began by writing: "Everyone has always said I look just like George Michaels. Can't believe he has gone."
Before adding: "Can't sleep at all because George Michaels has passed. My whole life people have said we look the same. Lost a part of me."
However his tweets receive a barrage of abuse from Twitter users, who criticised his comment and said he looked nothing like the iconic star.
One commented: "George Michael didn't have inflatable lips and his teeth and hair weren't visible from the moon. Idiot."
While another particularly shocking comment read: "You look more like Carrie Fisher's dog than George Michael. Clean your mirrors."
When one user wrote: "How utterly selfish to make it all about yourself. Typical."
Mark replied: "I was paying my respects."
As the user then wrote: "Paying your respects would be tweeting your favourite George song - not saying that ppl compare the two of you."
Mark replied: "Who the hell are you to dictate what's an acceptable way of paying respects."
Growing sick of the endless angry tweets, Mark finally hit back: "Cannot believe the sheer amount of abuse I've got off this twitter just for saying I looked like George Michael rip."
He added: "I have never compared my talent to George Michael or nothing like that just think we look a bit similar is his younger years."
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Meanwhile, Mark told the Sun Online: "I meant absolutely no malice and I'm a huge fan of George Michael. I'm shocked and surprised by the huge amount of backlash as I was only paying my respects.
"Me and George Michael both have quiffs, facial hair and often wear sunglasses and that's why people had compared us."
George's publicist confirmed he had died on Christmas Day in a heartbreaking statement, saying: "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.