Snappy Snaps at war with George Michael fans over the store he famously crashed into becoming a shrine
BOSSES at the Snappy Snaps store which George Michael infamously crashed his car into have asked fans to stop bombarding the shop with tributes to the singer.
Scores of messages for the Wham! star have been stuck to the front of the photo shop in Hampstead, North London, since he was found dead aged 53 on Christmas Day.
Many of the tribute notes, bunches of flowers and even a wreath which have been left outside the store are removed each morning.
At one point there were several messages stuck to the storefront too.
Last week a sign was placed outside the shop politely pleading with fans to quit leaving their messages.
A local said: “The owners think it’s bad for business, but everyone else around here thinks it’s quite humorous and makes the shop a bit of a tourist attraction.
“I guess they don’t want to be forever associated with George Michael’s arrest, however.”
The Hampstead branch of Snappy Snaps became an unlikely pilgrimage for George Michael fans after his sudden death last month.
One of the notes left outside the shop quoted lyrics from George’s hit Careless Whisper, and read: “I’m never gonna dance again the way I danced with you.’”
Another simply said: “RIP George”.
The word Wham! was also re-written on the storefront after it was scrawled there and left by the owners in 2010 after George ploughed his Range Rover into the shop while under the influence of drugs.
George had his driver’s licence revoked for five years and was given an eight-week prison sentence following the incident in 2010.
He later apologised to the store manager, saying: “I’m genuinely and sincerely sorry for smashing into your shop.”
Boss John replied: “That’s no problem.
“It would be nice if you could come through the front door one day soon.”
The exact cause of George’s death remains unclear and police are still investigating the star’s final hours.
His death is being treated as unexplained and non-suspicious.